Elective cardiovascular care in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic: managing tragic choices. Issue 3 (28th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Berman, Adam E; Miller, Douglas; Sorrentino, Robert A; Mossialos, Elias A
• Is Part Of: BMJ open quality. Volume 9:Issue 3(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09-28
• Subjects: decision support -- clinical -- decision making -- health equity -- health policy -- ethics; Medical care -- Quality control -- Periodicals; 362.106805
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2020-001069
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-6641

Abstract

Abstract : The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant morbidity and mortality globally. As health systems grapple with caring for patients affected with COVID-19, cardiovascular procedures that are deemed 'elective' have been postponed. Guidelines concerning which cardiac procedures should be performed during the pandemic vary by specialty and geography in the USA. We propose a clinical heuristic to guide individual physicians and governing bodies in their decision making regarding which cardiac procedures should be performed during the COVID-19 pandemic using the behavioural economics concept of heuristics and ecological rationality.