Many places have been in short supply of intensive care beds, ventilators, and personal protective equipment throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. When demand for treatment outpaces the supply of equipment, clinicians are often forced to limit access to lifesaving treatment. What criteria should they apply in making these incredibly difficult decisions?

For our latest Q&A, we spoke with former Commonwealth Fund Harkness Fellow Christina Pagel, a professor at University College London who applies mathematical modeling to problems in health care. We asked her what clinicians, hospital leaders, and policymakers should consider if and when ICU services for COVID-19 patients are limited.

Maternity Care During COVID-19

In a post for To the Point, the Commonwealth Fund’s Laurie Zephyrin, M.D., and Rachel Nuzum offer solutions for prioritizing the health of women and their babies during the pandemic. The seriousness of the COVID-19 crisis, they say, compels an urgent federal response to invest in women’s health and address unacceptably high rates of maternal deaths.