Cross-sectional study of palliative care to hospitalised patients with COVID-19
Irish Medical Journal
; 114(9), 2021.
Article
in English
| GIM | ID: covidwho-1837217
ABSTRACT
Aims:
To describe the characteristics, symptoms and outcomes for patients with COVID-19 referred to a hospital-based specialist palliative care service and to describe communication and visiting practices.Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional retrospective study, which is a part of the ANTICIPATE study project.Results:
50 patients were referred;49 included in analysis. 38 patients died. 27 patients were male;median age was 81 years. On referral, median Charlson Comorbidity Index was 6;median Australia-modified Karnofsky Performance Status score was 20%. Median number of days from referral to death was 2. Common baseline symptoms (n) were dyspnoea (35), agitation (23), and pain (13). Opioids (100%), benzodiazepines (97.1%) and neuroleptics (61.8%) were most commonly used medications to achieve symptom control. 13/19 patients with serial data had a decrease in Palliative Care Problem Severity Score. 26 patients received a family visit before death;8 had virtual forms of contact. 9 patients had family present at time of death.Conclusion:
The short interval from referral to Specialist Palliative Care and death indicates the need for prompt service response. Data on visiting highlights challenges of providing psychosocial support.
human diseases; patients; symptoms; health care; viral diseases; coronavirus disease 2019; cross-sectional studies; palliative care; hospital admission; hospitals; death; visits; families; opioids; benzodiazepines; neuroleptics; drug therapy; sedatives; man; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Australia; Homo; Hominidae; primates; mammals; vertebrates; Chordata; animals; eukaryotes; Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus; Betacoronavirus; Coronavirinae; Coronaviridae; Nidovirales; positive-sense ssRNA Viruses; ssRNA Viruses; RNA Viruses; viruses; APEC countries; Australasia; Oceania; Commonwealth of Nations; high income countries; OECD Countries; very high Human Development Index countries; SARS-CoV-2; viral infections; excursions; trips; chemotherapy
Search on Google
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
GIM
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Language:
English
Journal:
Irish Medical Journal
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS