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Florida is changing the way ICU beds are reported

State wants hospitals to report only number of patients receiving 'intensive level of care'

Gov. Ron DeSantis is changing the way hospitals report the status of ICU beds that are available.

By: Stephanie Susskind

Posted at 9:32 AM, Jun 24, 2020

and last updated 2020-06-24 09:32:09-04

With a jump in coronavirus cases in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis is changing the way hospitals report the status of intensive care unit beds that are available.

Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees said he doesn't want hospitals to report the number of patients in intensive care unit beds, rather only those who are receiving an "intensive level of care." This could undercount the number of ICU coronavirus patients.

Rivkees notes that some hospitals have COVID-19 wards within intensive care units and are reporting all COVID patients as ICU patients, even though they may not all require the same level of care.

DeSantis said resuming elective surgeries has reduced the number of ICU beds available.