Everything’s going rapidly downhill up here in Alaska. Did I mention “Death Panels”?

Alaska reports seven new COVID-19 deaths as grim stories emerge from Providence hospital

Providence decided to enact crisis standards on Sept. 11 as the hospital ran short on ventilation equipment — mostly used by COVID-19 patients — as well as staff and machines needed for dialysis, according to Solena Walkinshaw.

A triage team using a specific formula to prioritize patients most likely to recover has been asked to help with several patient care decisions since then. Being vaccinated against COVID-19 is not part of the formula.

One person died who was unable to get the continuous renal replacement therapy they needed, she said. Four patients needed the therapy and only two could get it. The patient who survived without dialysis remains hospitalized in a palliative care setting.

Another decision involved deciding which patient got intubated because there weren’t enough beds in the ICU, where seriously ill COVID-19 patients often end up.