A pandemic workgroup convened by the New York State Department of Health and The Taskforce on Life and the Law created a guidance on ventilator allocation in hospitals. The workgroup reviewed several published allocation methods and explained their rationale for using a hybrid approach based on an ethically and clinically sound decision-making system. The authors describe potential pitfalls and legal issues that must be addressed in implementing their non-binding system and recommend further review by hospitals and community groups. Although one may not agree completely with this approach to ventilator allocation, the authors thoroughly describe their thought processes and include an apt description of other methods. The final formulas and quality of the discussion may make this guidance a useful resource for health departments or systems that are addressing this concerning issue.
