The COVID-19 pandemic has put a huge strain on critical care resources worldwide, as systems have struggled to provide high-quality care for a surge of critically ill patients. The response of clinicians and researchers—in providing care in extraordinary circumstances and in rapidly establishing research programme to explore the potential of a range of preventive and therapeutic approach has been impressive. Lessons can be learned from the challenges encountered and the successes achieved as we consider future directions for critical care.

APICS 2020 is a virtual symposium that targets intensivists and focuses on current evidence in ICU care.