The ERC Ethics writing group identified a clear need for
ethical guidance. We are very much aware that important changes to resuscitation
guidelines might have a significant and potentially long-lasting impact on subsequent
outcomes.
Any ‘temporary’ adaptations of the existing guidelines should always be interpreted
within the context of each healthcare system and take into account factors such
as the prevalence of COVID-19 within a region, and the overall impact on available
resources. Given the limited evidence available, most of the following statements are
the result of expert consensus. They are based on the very recent ILCOR systematic
review on the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to rescuers during resuscitation, on
existing guidelines from other societies and councils and recent, mostly observational,
clinical studies. Indirect evidence from non-clinical papers, such as those on
pathophysiology, also informed our final ‘insights’.