Intensivmedizinisches Back-up bei infektiologischen Katastrophen

BACKGROUND: Outbreaks of infectious diseases pose particular challenges for hospitals and intensive care units. OBJECTIVES: Typical infectiological scenarios and their significance for modern intensive care medicine are presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Selected pathogens/infectious diseases that have significantly strained the resources of intensive care units are described. RESULTS: Intensive medical care is necessary in severe cases of many infectious diseases. In the context of epidemics/pandemics, many critically ill patients have to be admitted within a short time. Examples are the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, the 2011 enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) outbreak in northern Germany, the 2014/2015 Ebola fever outbreak and the 2020 coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Multidisciplinary teams, protocol development, adequate staffing, and training are required to achieve optimal treatment outcomes, including prevention of healthcare worker infections. CONCLUSIONS: Pandemics and epidemics are unique challenges for intensive care unit preparedness planning.