The effect of the Greek financial crisis on the operation of public intensive care units

Abstract

SUMMARYThe National Healthcare System in Greece has taken a serious blow by the financial crisis the country has been experiencing for the past 9 years. The operation of the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in public hospitals could not remain unaffected, since the largest part of their funding comes from the state’s budget.Objective: To investigate the effect of the financial crisis on the operation of public ICUs in Greek hospitals.Method: Narrative literature review including Greek and English language articles in medical databases such as PUBMED, CINAHL, and in websites of Greek newspapers and other media.Results: During the crisis years, a clear shift of healthcare users from the private sector to public hospitals, together with a significant reduction of functional beds in the ICUs of public hospitals have created significant ICU bed shortages and rendered Greek ICUs clearly incapable of meeting nationwide needs. The doctors and nurses employed in public ICUs are not sufficient, and, subsequently, a decline in the quality of the healthcare provided to the critically ill has been noted.Conclusions: The situation in Greek public ICUs is critical. Without sufficient state funding, staff and ICU-bed shortages increase the likelihood that the care provided within Greek ICUs will deviate from international standards.