In my July 2020 update, I remarked how quaint the February 2020 update seemed. But now, looking back over the last year, it’s amazing how long ago July 2020 seems! As clinicians, as a NetWork, and as an organization, I am so proud of how we have rallied over the past year.
We’ve faced the largest public health crisis in a century, and despite great hardships, we’ve risen to the challenge. Many lives have been saved as a result of your efforts. We have also learned a tremendous amount about the practice of critical care. These innovations will last long after the pandemic is in our rearview window.
We have dramatically expanded our digital presence over the last year. CHEST and the Critical Care NetWork have produced a large array of peer-reviewed,free, open access medical education. Led by the CHEST COVID-19 Task Force, members of the Critical Care NetWork, the Disaster Response and Global Health NetWork, the Chest Infections NetWork, and the Education Committee have produced weekly webinars, educational supplements, first-person perspectives, infographics, and the newly launchedCOVID in Focus: Perspectives on the Literaturereviews of clinical topics. The commitment by the CHEST organization for these efforts has been unprecedented. And as always, the support from the CHEST staff has been outstanding!
But we have also lost a great deal. At this writing, more than a half-million people have died of COVID-19 in the United States, many more have been sickened, and many suffer long-term consequences of these infections. We have lost friends, family, and medical colleagues. As a way to honor those colleagues we lost due to COVID-19, CHEST launched aCHEST Remembersinitiative. This site serves as a place to share our memories and celebrate their dedication to their work, family, and friends. If you would like to have someone remembered, you are invited to submit a memorial.
Finally, after a year of this pandemic, we’re all mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. But with more and more people getting vaccinated each day, we are starting to see the light at the end of this tunnel. I hope to see you all in person at CHEST 2021 in Orlando this October. But in the interim, please stay safe, and be gentle with yourselves and your families.
Chris Carroll, MD Chair, Critical Care NetWork
NetWorkCHEST Physician article
Check out our NetWork’s latest article, “Awake proning in COVID-19,” by steering committee members, Viren Kaul, MD, and Kathryn Pendleton, MD, in the latest CHEST Physician® issue.
Upcoming NetWork calls
As a NetWork member, you're welcome to join your NetWork Steering Committee calls. If interested in joining an upcoming call, please contact Maggie Kosinskimkosinski@chestnet.org and she will be happy to share access information.
Friday, May 7, at 12 pm CT
Friday, September 10, at 12 pm CT
COVID-19 resources
Have you seen thenew infographicson basic critical care topics? CHEST is producing a series of introductory educational graphics on shock, ARDS, acute kidney injury, blood gas analysis, delirium, and many other topics. They’re great for “airdropping” to new learners on rounds! And if you want to help create some of this peer-reviewed content, please reach out to Dr. Chris Carroll.
Join the conversation: Have an idea or suggestion? See a good article link you want to share? Tweet with the hashtag, #CHESTCritCare, and follow our NetWork Twitter account, @CHESTCritCare.
Also of interest
Learn from leading experts in chest medicine while earning CME credit/MOC points with CHEST 2020 Recorded Sessions. With on demand access, all the recorded sessions from CHEST 2020 featuring the latest in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine are available to you at any time.
CHEST is now seeking graders for CHEST Annual Meeting 2021. Get involved with CHEST 2021 by assessing and grading original investigations and case reports submitted for presentation.Sign up by April 30 to be considered.