Management of Critically Ill Adults With COVID-19

Abstract

Guideline title Surviving Sepsis Campaign: Guidelines on the Management of Critically Ill Adults With COVID-19. Developer Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC). Release date March 23, 2020. Target population Critically ill adults with COVID-19. Selected major recommendations: Infection Control and Testing: For health care workers performing aerosol-generating procedures (eg, endotracheal intubation, nebulized treatments, open suctioning) use of fitted respirator masks is recommended (N95 respirators, FFP2), instead of surgical masks, in addition to other personal protective equipment (PPE) (best practice statement). For usual care of nonventilated patients, or for performing non–aerosol-generating procedures on patients receiving mechanical ventilation, use of medical masks is recommended, instead of respirator masks, in addition to other PPE (weak recommendation, low-quality evidence [LQE]). Diagnostic lower respiratory tract samples (endotracheal aspirates) are preferred over bronchial washings, bronchoalveolar lavage, and upper respiratory tract (nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal) samples (weak recommendation, LQE).