Bioethics, pandemic and the duty to treat: Discussing the allocation of scarce resources

Objectives: To know the ethical parameters in relation to the allocation of scarce resources in the midst of the pandemic. Method: This is an integrative literature review that included articles published in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, in journals indexed in Lilacs and Scielo databases, available for free, and studies discussed in international bioethics forums focused on discussing ethical dilemmas during the pandemic. Results: There are strong justifications for the development and application of triage protocols in case the pandemic exceeds the capacity to provide intensive care to all patients. Conclusion: It is important that hospitals take immediate steps to develop a decision-making process, anticipate what will be the priority criteria in this pandemic moment and involve the ethics team in the institutions, in order to take the burden off the decision of health professionals, which are already overloaded.