About 70% ICU beds for COVID-19 patients occupied, an increase can lead to poorer care for others

Singapore — Although more intensive care unit (ICU) beds for Covid-19 patients can be increased, the government has noted that doing so might be highly detrimental to the healthcare system as a whole because it could result in poorer care for other patients.

Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary told Parliament on Monday (Nov 1) that about 60 per cent of the 219 ICU beds reserved for Covid-19 patients are currently occupied.

According to the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) daily Covid-19 update on Thursday (Nov 4), there are 138 patients in ICU, bringing the ICU utilisation rate to 70.2 per cent.

Despite the government’s ability to increase the number of ICU beds for Covid-19 patients to 1,000, meaning adding about 800 more, Dr Janil highlighted that other factors are affecting the decision.

He noted that 1,500 healthcare workers have resigned in the first half of 2021 compared to the 2,000 in 2020. The number includes 500 foreign doctors and nurses.

“The most important limit is the manpower required to staff ICU beds. Patients in ICU need trained staff, who must be able to provide individualised care, including round-the-clock monitoring and continuous care,” said Dr Janil in a Straits Times report.

“So, any increase in ICU bed capacity must be supported by an increase in manpower, which has to be diverted from non-Covid-19 ICU duties.”

“Converting non-Covid-19 ICU beds for use by Covid-19 patients who need intensive care has a limit, as it diverts resources from non-Covid-19 patients who also need care,” he added.

With the addition of more ICU beds, it will take medical professionals, including more experienced ones, away from treating non-Covid-19 patients.

It was reported that the private sector has stepped up to meet the manpower shortage, while medical personnel from the armed forces and recently retired professionals have returned to the workforce.

However, this is not enough to address the strain of large numbers of Covid-19 patients needing medical assistance.

“ICU beds are disproportionately occupied by seniors 60 years and older who are unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated,” said MOH on Oct 10.

MOH said that the number of patients seeking medical attention at the Emergency Departments (EDs) after testing positive for the virus had increased eight times. Many were admitted for precautionary observation.

It encouraged individuals with non-emergency conditions to avoid seeking treatment at hospitals and consult their family doctor or a General Practitioner instead.

“All of us need to be socially responsible to take care of ourselves and others around us through vaccination, regular testing and adherence to isolation protocols where needed.” /TISG

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