RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever e comparar a estrutura das unidades de terapia intensiva argentinas que responderam ao inquérito de autoavaliação de unidades de terapia intensiva desenvolvido pela Sociedad Argentina de Terapia Intensiva. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal observacional com uso de um inquérito voluntário online por meio do banco de dados de membros da Sociedad Argentina de Terapia Intensiva e outras publicações em mídias sociais. Foram analisadas as respostas recebidas entre dezembro de 2018 e julho de 2020. Foram utilizados testes não paramétricos e estatística descritiva. Resultados: Foram recebidos 392 inquéritos, sendo 244 considerados para a análise. Eram de unidades de terapia intensiva adulto 77% (187/244), e 23% (57/244) eram de unidades de terapia intensiva pediátrica. A taxa de participação foi de 76%. A amostra incluiu 2.567 leitos de unidades de terapia intensiva (1.981 adulto e 586 pediátrica). Observamos nítida concentração de unidades de terapia intensiva nas regiões Centro e Buenos Aires, Argentina. A mediana de leitos foi de dez (intervalo interquartil 7 - 15). A mediana de monitores multiparamétricos, ventiladores mecânicos e oxímetros de pulso foi de um por leito, sem diferenças regionais ou de tipo de unidade de terapia intensiva (adulto ou pediátrica). Embora nossa amostra tenha evidenciado que as unidades de terapia intensiva pediátrica apresentaram proporção de ventilação mecânica/leito maior do que as unidades de terapia intensiva adulto, esse achado não foi linearmente correlacionado. Conclusão: A Argentina tem concentração notável de leitos de cuidados intensivos e complexidade estrutural superior nas regiões de Buenos Aires e Centro, tanto de unidades de terapia intensiva adulto quanto pediátrica. Além disso, observou-se ausência de dados precisos informados sobre a estrutura e os recursos de unidades de terapia intensiva. São necessárias mais opções de melhoria para alocar os recursos de unidades de terapia intensiva nos níveis institucional e regional.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe and compare the structure of Argentinean intensive care units that completed the “self-assessment survey of intensive care units” developed by the Sociedad Argentina de Terapia Intensiva. Methods: An observational crosssectional study was conducted using an online voluntary survey through the Sociedad Argentina de Terapia Intensiva member database and other social media postings. Answers received between December 2018 and July 2020 were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were used. Results: A total of 392 surveys were received, and 244 were considered for the analysis. Seventy-seven percent (187/244) belonged to adult intensive care units, and 23% (57/244) belonged to pediatric intensive care units. The overall completion rate was 76%. The sample included 2,567 ICU beds (adult: 1,981; pediatric: 586). We observed a clear concentration of intensive care units in the Central and Buenos Aires regions of Argentina. The median number of beds was 10 (interquartile range 7 - 15). The median numbers of multiparameter monitors, mechanical ventilators, and pulse oximeters were 1 per bed with no regional or intensive care unit type differences (adult versus pediatric). Although our sample showed that the pediatric intensive care units had a higher mechanical ventilation/bed ratio than the adult intensive care units, this finding was not linearly correlated. Conclusion: Argentina has a notable concentration of critical care beds and better structural complexity in the Buenos Aires and Centro regions for both adult and pediatric intensive care units. In addition, a lack of accurate data reported from the intensive care unit structure and resources was observed. Further improvement opportunities are required to allocate intensive care unit resources at the institutional and regional levels.

Abstract During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there was a marked requirement for critical care beds, supplies and trained professionals to assist patients with severe respiratory failure. The Argentine Society of Intensive Care (SATI) designed a study to characterize these aspects in intensive care units (ICUs). Multicenter, prospective cohort study; the participating ICUs completed a form at the end of the study (31/10/2020) on hospital characteristics, number of beds in pre- and intra-pandemic critical areas, incorporation of professionals, technological resources, and workload. Fifty-eight ICUs participated; 28(48%) were located in Buenos Aires Province, 22(38%) in Buenos Aires Autonomous City and 10 (17%) in other provinces; 31 (53%) of UCIs belonged to the public sector; 23 (47%) to the private-social security. In 35/58 (60%) of the hospitals critical care beds increased from 902 to 1575 (75%), 37% in ICU and 63% mainly in Coronary Care Unit and Emergency-shock room. In 41/55 (75%) UCIs, staff were incorporated: 27(49%) physicians (70% intensivists), 36 (65%) nurses, 28 (51%) respiratory therapists, 20(36%) cleaning staff, and 1(2%) others. A 96% of the ICUS reported having sufficient ventilators and 95% enough sup plies and PPE. Of all patients on invasive mechanical ventilation, 55% [43-64] had COVID-19. Oxygen therapy was required as noninvasive support in 14% [8-24] of COVID-19 admissions. There was a significant expansion of critical operational areas, secondary to the increase in beds, staff, and adequate availability of ventilators and essential supplies. The burden of critical illness from COVID-19 was intense, with more than half of patients on mechanical ventilation.

Resumen Durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 hubo un marcado requerimiento de camas de cuidados críticos, insumos y profesionales entrenados para asistir a pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria grave. La Sociedad Argentina de Terapia Intensiva (SATI) diseñó un estudio para caracterizar estos aspectos en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCIs). Estudio multicéntrico, de cohorte prospectiva; las UCIs participantes completaron un formulario al final del estudio (31/10/2020) sobre características hospitalarias, número de camas de áreas críticas pre- e intra-pandemia, incorporación de profesionales, insumos y recursos tecnológicos, y carga de trabajo. Participaron 58 UCIs; 28(48%) de Provincia de Buenos Aires, 22(38%) de Ciudad Autónoma de Bue nos Aires, 10(17%) de otras; 31(53%) UCIs pertenecían al sector público; 23(47%) al privado-seguridad social. En 35/58(60%) hospitales las camas de cuidados críticos aumentaron de 902 a 1575(75%); 37% en UCI y 63% principalmente en Unidad Coronaria y Emergencias-shock room. En 41/55(75%) UCIs se incorporó personal: 27(49%) médicos/as (70% intensivistas), 36(65%) enfermeros/as, 28(51%) kinesiólogos/as, 20(36%) personal de limpieza, y 1(2%) otros/as; 96% de las UCIS reportaron disponer de respiradores suficientes, y 95%, insumos y EPP suficientes. De todos los pacientes en ventilación mecánica invasiva, 55% [43-64] presentaron COVID-19. Se requirió oxigenoterapia como soporte no invasivo en 14% [8-24] de los ingresos por COVID-19. Se registró una importante expansión de las áreas críticas operativas, secundariamente al aumento de camas, personal, y adecuada disponibilidad de respiradores e insumos esenciales. La carga de la enfermedad crítica por COVID-19 fue intensa, constituyendo más de la mitad de los pacientes en ventilación mecánica.

This document aims to provide evidence-based recommendations to estimate the personal protective equipments (PPE), medical devices, and drugs commonly used in the Intensive Care Unit during the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic literature review and gray literature assessment was performed, and the evidence was categorized using the GRADE methodology. Then a predictive model was built to support the estimation of resources needed during 30 days of the pandemic. In the development of these recommendations, 33 publications were included, with variable quality of evidence (low to very low quality). They refer to the use of PPE according to the risk of exposure; management and reuse of PPE, and the stock of drugs and medical devices needed for the care of patients with COVID-19. It is important to remark the difficult in estimating and managing the number of essential supplies and equipment required during a pandemic. The model allowed us to predict the resources required to provide critical care during 30 days of pandemic activity. Given the constant evolution of COVID-19, these recommendations might change as evidence evolves.

El presente documento tiene como fin proporcionar recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia para estimar los equipos de proteccion personal (EPP), los dispositivos médicos y los medicamentos comúnmente utilizados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática de la literatura y evaluación de la literatura gris. La evidencia se clasificó utilizando la metodología GRADE. Luego, se construyó un modelo predictivo para apoyar la estimación de recursos durante 30 días de la pandemia. En el desarrollo de estas recomendaciones se incluyeron 33 publicaciones con calidad de evidencia variable (calidad baja a muy baja), acerca del uso de EPP según el riesgo de exposición; manejo y re-uso de EPP, y las necesidades de fármacos y dispositivos médicos para la atención de pacientes con COVID-19. Es destacable lo difícil que resulta estimar y administrar la cantidad de suministros y equipos esenciales necesarios durante una pandemia. El modelo nos permitió predecir los recursos necesarios para proporcionar cuidados críticos durante 30 días de actividad pandémica. Dada la evolución constante de COVID-19, estas recomendaciones pueden cambiar a medida que evolucione la evidencia.