ABSTRACT
Palliative care was once believed to be too high-touch to be delivered via telehealth. However, numerous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of palliative care delivered through telehealth. Because the COVID-19 pandemic has quickly shifted how health care is delivered to patients with cancer, particularly because of their immunocompromised status and the risks associated with unnecessary exposures in the clinic, previous lessons from palliative care research studies can be used to inform practice. This article presents a case study that illustrates evidence and best practices for continuing to deliver palliative care via telehealth after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/mortality , COVID-19/nursing , COVID-19/prevention & control , Communication , Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing/standards , Oncology Nursing/standards , Telemedicine/standards , Adult , Aged , Delivery of Health Care/standards , Fatal Outcome , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pandemics/prevention & control , Practice Guidelines as Topic , SARS-CoV-2 , United StatesABSTRACT
The emergence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated an interim restructuring of the healthcare system in accordance with public health preventive measures to mitigate spread of the virus while providing essential healthcare services to the public. This article discusses how the Palliative Care Team of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana has modified its services in accordance with public health guidelines. It also suggests a strategy to deal with palliative care needs of critically ill patients with COVID-19 and their families.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/therapy , Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing/standards , Hospitals, Teaching/standards , Palliative Care/standards , Pneumonia, Viral/therapy , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Betacoronavirus , COVID-19 , Ghana , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2Subject(s)
COVID-19/nursing , Communication , Family Relations , Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing/standards , Terminal Care/standards , Video Recording/standards , Virtual Reality , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Death , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Practice Guidelines as Topic , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hospital palliative care is an essential part of the COVID-19 response, but relevant data are lacking. The recent literature underscores the need to implement protocols for symptom control and the training of non-specialists by palliative care teams. AIM: The aim of the study was to describe a palliative care unit's consultation and assistance intervention at the request of an Infectious Diseases Unit during the COVID-19 pandemic, determining what changes needed to be made in delivering palliative care. DESIGN: This is a single holistic case study design using data triangulation, for example, audio recordings of team meetings and field notes. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: This study was conducted in the Palliative Care Unit of the AUSL-IRCCS hospital of Reggio Emilia, which has no designated beds, consulting with the Infectious Diseases Unit of the same hospital. RESULTS: A total of 9 physicians and 22 nurses of the Infectious Diseases Unit and two physicians of the Palliative Care Unit participated in the study.Our Palliative Care Unit developed a feasible 18-day multicomponent consultation intervention. Three macro themes were identified: (1) new answers to new needs, (2) symptom relief and decision-making process, and (3) educational and training issues. CONCLUSION: From the perspective of palliative care, some changes in usual care needed to be made. These included breaking bad news, patients' use of communication devices, the limited time available for the delivery of care, managing death necessarily only inside the hospital, and relationships with families.