Critical care bed capacity in Asian countries and regions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational study
Issued Date
2024-03-01
Resource Type
eISSN
26666065
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85183782111
Journal Title
The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific
Volume
44
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific Vol.44 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Phua J., Kulkarni A.P., Mizota T., Hashemian S.M.R., Lee W.Y., Permpikul C., Chittawatanarat K., Nitikaroon P., Arabi Y.M., Fang W.F., Konkayev A., Hashmi M., Palo J.E., Faruq M.O., Shrestha B.R., KC B., Mat Nor M.B.b., Sann K.K., Ling L., Haniffa R., Al Bahrani M., Mendsaikhan N., Chan Y.H. Critical care bed capacity in Asian countries and regions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational study. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific Vol.44 (2024). doi:10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100982 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/97132
Title
Critical care bed capacity in Asian countries and regions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational study
Author's Affiliation
Siriraj Hospital
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
Astana Medical University
SBUMS Chronic Respiratory Disease Research Center
National University Health System
Chang Gung University Of Science and Technology
Ziauddin University
Chang Gung University College of Medicine
Yangon General Hospital
Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences
Kathmandu Medical College
Royal Hospital
Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University
National University Hospital
Tata Memorial Hospital
MRC Centre for Inflammation Research
International Islamic University Malaysia
Thailand Ministry of Public Health
National Guard Health Affairs
Kyoto University Hospital
Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine
Chinese University of Hong Kong
National Science Center of Traumatology and Orthopedia Named Batpenov
The Medical City
Network for Improving Critical Care Systems and Training
United Hospital
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
Astana Medical University
SBUMS Chronic Respiratory Disease Research Center
National University Health System
Chang Gung University Of Science and Technology
Ziauddin University
Chang Gung University College of Medicine
Yangon General Hospital
Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences
Kathmandu Medical College
Royal Hospital
Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University
National University Hospital
Tata Memorial Hospital
MRC Centre for Inflammation Research
International Islamic University Malaysia
Thailand Ministry of Public Health
National Guard Health Affairs
Kyoto University Hospital
Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine
Chinese University of Hong Kong
National Science Center of Traumatology and Orthopedia Named Batpenov
The Medical City
Network for Improving Critical Care Systems and Training
United Hospital
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted the importance of critical care. The aim of the current study was to compare the number of adult critical care beds in relation to population size in Asian countries and regions before (2017) and during (2022) the pandemic. Methods: This observational study collected data closest to 2022 on critical care beds (intensive care units and intermediate care units) in 12 middle-income and 7 high-income economies (using the 2022–2023 World Bank classification), through a mix of methods including government sources, national critical care societies, personal contacts, and data extrapolation. Data were compared with a prior study from 2017 of the same countries and regions. Findings: The cumulative number of critical care beds per 100,000 population increased from 3.0 in 2017 to 9.4 in 2022 (p = 0.003). The median figure for middle-income economies increased from 2.6 (interquartile range [IQR] 1.7–7.8) to 6.6 (IQR 2.2–13.3), and that for high-income economies increased from 11.4 (IQR 7.3–22.8) to 13.9 (IQR 10.7–21.7). Only 3 countries did not see a rise in bed capacity. Where data were available in 2022, 10.9% of critical care beds were in single rooms (median 5.0% in middle-income and 20.3% in high-income economies), and 5.3% had negative pressure (median 0.7% in middle-income and 18.5% in high-income economies). Interpretation: Critical care bed capacity in the studied Asian countries and regions increased close to three-fold from 2017 to 2022. Much of this increase was attributed to middle-income economies, but substantial heterogeneity exists. Funding: None.