How did you arrive at this decision?

You are the CEO of Springfield Hospital. You have a small intensive care unit (ICU) designed to care for both medical and surgical patients. One bed is empty and staff are limited. Right now, there are four individuals in your emergency department: 

• The first is a 78-year-old male who tests positive for COVID-19 and has significant breathing problems. His oxygen level is low and it is clear that he will die if his breathing is not assisted with a ventilator. 

• The second individual is a 23-year-old woman who was in an auto accident. She is a student at a nearby university. She will need surgery, after which she will clearly need the support of the staff in the ICU.

• The third individual is a successful businesswoman. Her ethics are widely known to be shady, but she donates to the hospital and the university. She has suffered a heart attack, and she is still alive, but struggling. She, too, will undergo immediate surgery and needs to end up in the ICU. 

• Finally, a local celebrity—much loved by all—is a victim of end-stage cancer. He will need the support of the ICU team for conditions caused by his cancer and its treatments.

As the CEO, your staff has come to you to decide which patient will get the last ICU bed. Using the principles discussed in this chapter, explain how that decision will be made and why.