Crisis Standards of Care Considerations Pharmaceutical and Supply Shortages

Crisis Standards of Care (CSC) originally assumed the conditions causing patients to be placed at risk would be pervasive and due to a catastrophic disaster. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many pharmaceutical products, including vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and remdesivir, had to be rationed. Even in the absence of a disaster situation, frequent product shortages--such as RhoGAM, blood products, radiologic contrast, chemotherapy agents, blood culture bottles, and intravenous fluids-- place patients at substantial risk of a poor health outcome. The considerations in this tip sheet can help healthcare providers plan for and manage similar situations.