Fig. 2

Staffing situation in critical care before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. (a) Number of designated and vacant positions (full-time) for critical care medicine before the pandemic. Hospitals were asked to provide corresponding information on the specified professional groups in their hospital. The number of positions was related to the number of ICU beds set up (as of January 1, 2020); the medians of the hospitals are shown (n = 24–29). PT/RT Physiotherapists/respiratory therapists. (b) Additional staff requirements (full-time) in intensive care medicine during the pandemic and actual filling of the additional positions (through reallocation/shifting and through recruitment/new hires). The hospitals were asked to provide corresponding information on the specified occupational groups in their hospital. The number of positions was related to the total number of currently operable intensive care beds (as of April 24, 2020); the medians of the hospitals are shown (n = 26–29). No additional demand was identified for the staff groups of physiotherapists/respiratory therapists, ward assistants and others (data not shown). (c) The hospitals were asked whether the nurse-to-patient ratio or nursing-skill-mix of the staff in intensive care medicine had changed at their hospital. Answers are given in percentage terms. n = 39, N.s./n.a. Not specified/not answered