No protocol and no liability: a call for COVID crisis guidelines that protect vulnerable populations.

TitleNo protocol and no liability: a call for COVID crisis guidelines that protect vulnerable populations.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsCaraccio C, White RS, Jotwani R
JournalJ Comp Eff Res
Date Published2020 Jul 24
ISSN2042-6313
Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is revealing the unacceptable health disparities across New York City and in this country. The mortality rates of vulnerable and minority populations alone suggest a need to re-evaluate clinical decision making protocols, especially given the recently passed Emergency or Disaster Treatment Protection Act, which grants healthcare institutions full immunity from liability stemming from resource allocation/triage decisions. Here we examine the disparity literature against resource allocation guidelines, contending that these guidelines may propagate allocation of resources along ableist, ageist and racial biases. Finally, we make the claim that the state must successfully develop ones that ensure the just treatment of our most vulnerable.

DOI10.2217/cer-2020-0090
Alternate JournalJ Comp Eff Res
PubMed ID32705880