COVID-19 Impact on Cardiac Care

Nearly half of respondents reported shortages in essential medical devices, most often mechanical ventilators. Delays in accessing diagnostic procedures were frequent, reported by 66% of respondents, with elective cardiac catheterisation most commonly affected. ICU bed shortages were the most commonly reported infrastructure problem during the pandemic, cited by 73% of respondents. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened pre-existing workforce shortages and substantially damaged the mental health of healthcare workers. Supply chain disruptions during the early pandemic affected 16 of 24 OECD countries.