Fig. 1

Measures to expand intensive care capacities during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. (a) Hospitals were asked whether bed closures due to critical care staffing shortages occurred prior to the pandemic in their hospital (in January and February 2020). Answers are given in percentage terms. n = 41, N.s./n.a. Not specified/not answered. The median number of beds blocked per day was 4 (data not shown in the graph). (b) Hospitals were asked if intensive care beds had been activated in their hospital during the pandemic which were still considered inoperable as of February 2020. Answers are given in percentage terms. n = 41, N.s./n.a. Not specified/not answered. (c) Hospitals were asked whether they were preparing to run new ICUs in recovery rooms (RR), operating rooms (OR) and outside the hospital (e.g., in mess halls). Answers are shown as percentages for each area. n = 40–41, N.s./N.a. Not specified/not answered