RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Triage of critical care resources in COVID-19: a stronger role for justice
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 526
OP 530
DO 10.1136/medethics-2020-106320
VO 46
IS 8
A1 Lynette Reid
YR 2020
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/46/8/526.abstract
AB Some ethicists assert that there is a consensus that maximising medical outcomes takes precedence as a principle of resource allocation in emergency triage of absolutely scarce resources. But the nature of the current severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 pandemic and the history of debate about balancing equity and efficiency in resource allocation do not support this assertion. I distinguish a number of concerns with justice and balancing considerations that should play a role in critical care triage policy, focusing on discrimination and on fundamental egalitarian and social justice concerns.