Besides Lacking Beds, Eleven US States Face Critical Shortage Of ICU Medical Professionals

Besides Lacking Beds, Eleven US States Face Critical Shortage Of ICU Medical Professionals

As COVID-19 infections surge, health care professionals across the US are struggling to keep up with the demand for personal protective equipment.

But according to UPI, a new report reveals that in 11 states, there's a shortage of intensive care unit doctors to take care of non-COVID-19 patients, too.

This week's update shows that Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah and Washington all could face a shortage of intensivists.

Patricia Pittman Director, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

UPI reports the focus has been on depleting numbers of ICU beds.

However, workforce shortages in these units can be an even greater problem.

New beds can be set up in other hospital units, or even outside the hospital setting, but there is only a finite number of qualified ICU staff to go around.