Principles of Palliative Care on Intensive Care
In a patient with a diagnosis of COVID-19 who might not meet the criteria for escalating treatment, and the patient becomes sick enough that they might die, they should be offered palliative and end of life care. This will entail some honest conversations about goals of care, treatment escalation, reviewing advance care plans, ensuring a comfortable and dignified death and supporting families. Check out the website talkcpr.wales for advice about having these difficult conversations.
In addition, the relief of the common symptoms that may arise because of an infection with COVID-19:
- Breathlessness
- Agitation
- Delirium
All hospitals have access to specialist palliative care teams. These teams will be able to provide additional advice and guidance but it will not be possible for them to provide direct care to everybody who needs it, especially as the pandemic progresses.
Principles of Palliative Care on Intensive Care
In a patient with a diagnosis of COVID-19 who might not meet the criteria for escalating treatment, and the patient becomes sick enough that they might die, they should be offered palliative and end of life care. This will entail some honest conversations about goals of care, treatment escalation, reviewing advance care plans, ensuring a comfortable and dignified death and supporting families. Check out the website talkcpr.wales for advice about having these difficult conversations.
In addition, the relief of the common symptoms that may arise because of an infection with COVID-19:
- Breathlessness
- Agitation
- Delirium
All hospitals have access to specialist palliative care teams. These teams will be able to provide additional advice and guidance but it will not be possible for them to provide direct care to everybody who needs it, especially as the pandemic progresses.
Resources
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APM Website
The Association for Palliative Medicine of Great Britain and Ireland (APM) is the world’s largest representative body for doctors practicing or interested in Palliative Medicine.
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Talk CPR – Discuss DNACPR
Talk CPR’s goal is to encourage conversation about CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for people affected by life-limiting and palliative illnesses. Talking about Do Not Attempt CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) is an important part of advance care planning and can help minimise distress at a later stage.
