Thread by @EricTopol

The impressive reduction of mortality achieved during the pandemic for patients admitted to the ICU
From UK @ICNARC @CebmOxford data
economist.com/science-and-te…

The 10 to >20 absolute % points of improved survival, across all age groups, are striking. The treatments have improved: more restrained use of mechanical ventilation, blood thinners, prone position, dexamethasone, ECMO (not as a last resort), avoidance of drugs w/o efficacy, +++

The @ICNARC data also show how real time data for critically ill patients is invaluable. It not only provides a window to this substantial improvement of outcomes, but will ultimately help us understand what accounted for it
A pandemic learning healthcare system actualized.

Unfortunately, we have nothing like this is in the US, but there are efforts currently underway to simulate such capabilities and they deserve utmost priority

There are still people questioning the utility of lockdowns. Beyond suppression of the virus spread, and avoiding potential medical resource overload, they give time to achieve this, to learn, and help patients who might not have survived at an earlier point in time.

Many have suggested that the mortality reduction may be attributed to less risk profile of patients admitted to the ICU as the pandemic proceeded.
An @ICNARC study suggests otherwise
preprints.org/manuscript/202…
via @msh_manu

There was substantially less use of mechanical ventilation over time
Conclusion: "After adjusting for patient characteristics, there were substantial improvements in mortality over the course of the epidemic"