A task force is working on finalizing a triage plan to determine how to allocate ventilators if supply falls short of the demand during the coronavirus crisis. The plan, which is one of the few state plans to involve public input, will be presented to the Governor for approval.

From The Baltimore Sun:

The state’s final plan is still being written by doctors, ethicists, disaster planners and state officials from across Maryland. It’s expected to be completed in the coming days. The document would need approval from Hogan, and he would have to make the order for hospitals to begin rationing equipment.

The article notes that while preparing for the worst Maryland remains in a good position with ventilators and hospital beds having taken precautions early. The state has 1,040 ventilators on hand, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency has requested 1,096 more from FEMA.

For more information:

Who gets a ventilator when there’s a crush of coronavirus patients? Maryland is coming up with a plan. (The Baltimore Sun)