Modi1 NO DELAY7 Dec 2021 16:26
To end this ITU bed concern and reassure.
ITU bed availability has NO influence on trials. I have regularly participated in Intensive Care bed meetings at 2 large teaching hospitals with research facilities attached. NEVER EVER were ITU beds "reserved" for trial facilities or trials held up / delayed because of a lack/shortage of ITU beds. I have also had conversations with senor research staff, neither do they ask- nor are they required to a ask the availability of an ITU bed. An ITU bed will always be created for emergency care , either for a patient coming from the operating theatre, A and E or in-house patients which would include research facilities based at the hospital. To agree to participate as a trial centre the hospital may/ will have to agree to having ITU facilities available but never ever are beds reserved.