RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Integration of palliative care into COVID-19 pandemic planning
JF BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
JO BMJ Support Palliat Care
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP 40
OP 44
DO 10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002364
VO 11
IS 1
A1 Nada Fadul
A1 Ahmed F Elsayem
A1 Eduardo Bruera
YR 2021
UL http://spcare.bmj.com/content/11/1/40.abstract
AB The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to surpass the healthcare system’s capacity to provide intensive care to all patients who deteriorate as a result of the disease. This poses a unique challenge to healthcare teams of rationing care during pandemic when resources are scarce. Healthcare providers will need to acquire new skills in care decision making and effective symptom control for patients who do not receive life-saving measures. In this review, we describe some of the important palliative care considerations that need to be incorporated into COVID-19 pandemic planning. The main aspects to be considered include decision algorithms for rationing care, training on effective symptoms management, alternative delivery methods of palliative care services such as telemedicine and finally death and bereavement support for surviving family members who are likely to be isolated from their loved one at the moment of death.