According to the University of Washington Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, the need for ventilators in Wisconsin is to peak later this month at 304 under the most likely scenario, and 770 under the worst case scenario. We have 620 in the state. Our governor ordered 10,000 additional. By comparison, the UK has only 8,125 ventilators in their entire country. The cost of our governor's debacle is staggering.
What we really need are the breathing circuits (hoses) that connect patients to ventilators. Ventilators are made by one manufacturer, and breathing circuits are made by other manufacturers and have to be discarded at a minimum frequency of when the connected patient changes, to prevent cross-contamination, and preferably more often to prevent buildup of microbes in the breathing circuit. We also need endotracheal tubes. And people on ventilators need to have their blood oxygen levels checked with arterial blood gas sampling products. And when they get sent home, many will be on ambulatory infusion pumps, and will also need single-use administration sets (tubing) and the needles that connect to them. Our governor has squandered our money on what looks best in the news headlines and not on what our hospitals need.
If you know someone who gets intubated, get a pen and notepad to them. They won't be able to talk. Giving them something to write on for others to see is a morale booster.
.... They have guys that are returning to shift work... some had symptoms some didnt been a mixed bag.
