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Bourbonnais A, Lachance G, Baumbusch J, Hsu A, Daneau S, Macaulay S. At the Epicentre of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada: Experiences and Recommendations of Family Care Partners of an Older Person Living in a Long-Term Care Home. Can J Aging 2024; 43:244-256. [PMID: 37771136 DOI: 10.1017/s0714980823000466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The roles of family care partners of older persons living in long-term care homes (LTCH) were severely disrupted during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Our aim was to describe their experiences and to solicit their recommendations for supportive actions. We conducted a critical ethnography with 24 care partners who cared or had cared for an older person living in an LTCH in Québec during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected data during interviews and used Spradley's method to analyse them. Care partners experienced a forced separation from the older persons they cared for, which resulted in significant distress. Care, including post-mortem care, was considered inadequate and sometimes even inhumane. Communication was inconsistent, and this variability was also noted in visitation rules. Care partners perceived LTCHs as a neglected community. Supportive actions were recommended. The results illustrated the essential contribution of care partners, and the supportive actions they recommended must be a catalyst for change toward more humane care in LTCH settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Bourbonnais
- Faculty of Nursing, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Research Centre of the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Geneviève Lachance
- Research Centre of the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jennifer Baumbusch
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amy Hsu
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Daneau
- Department of Nursing, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Susan Macaulay
- Dementia care advocate and blogger, MyAlzheimersstory.com
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Kim Y, Kim DH. Nurses' experience of end-of-life care for patients with COVID-19: A descriptive phenomenology study. Nurs Health Sci 2024; 26:e13124. [PMID: 38692579 DOI: 10.1111/nhs.13124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The mortality rates among critically ill patients with COVID-19 have been high. The national and institutional infection control policies and resource shortages caused by the pandemic led patients to undergo deaths without dignity and inevitably changed intensive care unit (ICU) end-of-life care (EOLC) practices. This study explores ICU nurses' experiences of providing EOLC for patients with COVID-19 who died. Eight nurses participated in a qualitative phenomenological study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from July to September 2022. Colaizzi's data analysis method was used, and the following four main themes emerged: (i) only companion in the death journey; (ii) helping families prepare for death; (iii) EOLC trapped within a framework; and (iv) EOLC in retrospect. To secure high-quality EOLC in ICU, it is important to promote practical support for nurses and EOLC-related discussions/education. Technical support, such as digital communication technologies, should be reinforced to help patients and their families participate in EOLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujin Kim
- College of Nursing, Pusan National University, Yangsan-si, Korea
| | - Dong-Hee Kim
- College of Nursing, Research Institute of Nursing Science, Pusan National University, Yangsan-si, Korea
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Moya-Salazar J, Soto E, Cañari B, Goicochea EA, Zuñiga N, Jaime-Quispe A, Contreras-Pulache H. Prolonged grief in relatives of deceased patients due to COVID-19 is associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms: A survey-based study in Peru. SAGE Open Med 2024; 12:20503121241245069. [PMID: 38628305 PMCID: PMC11020738 DOI: 10.1177/20503121241245069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Funeral practices have undergone significant changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the death of a family member from this disease has altered the typical course of the bereavement process. Therefore, this study seeks to determine the relationship between the levels of grief, anxiety, and depression in relatives of patients who died from COVID-19 in Peru. Methods A total of 250 volunteers were obtained, but after applying the inclusion criteria and not being able to contact five of them, the sample consisted of 115 participants over 18 years of age who lost a family member to COVID-19 between 2020 and 2021. They developed the Prolonged Grief Questionnaire-13 and the Zung Anxiety and Depression Questionnaires, in virtual surveys using Google FormTM (Google, CA). Results Our analysis revealed that all cases of anxiety (18.3%) were present in individuals experiencing prolonged grief (76.5%), while 49.5% (57/115) of participants exhibited symptoms of depression. Furthermore, we identified a significant association between prolonged grief and both anxiety (p = 0.005) and depression (p < 0.001). Prolonged grief predominantly affected females (45.2%) and individuals aged 31-40 years (28.7%) (p < 0.001). Regarding predictors of anxiety symptoms, we found that both age group (p = 0.035) and grief (p < 0.001) played significant roles. Gender (p = 0.019) and grief (p < 0.001) emerged as predictors of depression, while gender alone predicted grief in relatives of individuals who succumbed to COVID-19 (p = 0.019). Conclusion Our results suggest a clear association between prolonged grief and mental health issues among relatives of COVID-19 patients who have passed away. Consequently, it is imperative to provide comprehensive psychological and spiritual support throughout the grieving process, aiming to mitigate the negative impact of traumatic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeel Moya-Salazar
- Digital Transformation Center, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima, Peru
| | - Elizabeth Soto
- Faculties of Health Science, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima, Peru
| | - Betsy Cañari
- Faculties of Health Science, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima, Peru
- Qualitative Unit, Nesh Hubbs, Lima, Peru
| | - Eliane A Goicochea
- Faculties of Health Science, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Lima, Peru
| | - Nahomi Zuñiga
- Faculties of Health Science, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima, Peru
- Qualitative Unit, Nesh Hubbs, Lima, Peru
| | - Alexis Jaime-Quispe
- Faculties of Health Science, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima, Peru
- Qualitative Unit, Nesh Hubbs, Lima, Peru
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Dubosh NM, Carter K. Teaching Trainees Effective Patient Communication Skills in the Clinical Environment: Best Practices Under Crisis Conditions. ACADEMIC MEDICINE : JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES 2024; 99:370-373. [PMID: 38109333 DOI: 10.1097/acm.0000000000005595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Communication within the health care setting has significant implications for the safety, engagement, and well-being of patients and physicians. Evidence shows that communication training is variable or lacking in undergraduate and graduate medical education. Physician-patient communication presents a vulnerable point in patient care, which was heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Physicians have to adapt their strategies to meet new challenges, including communicating through the necessary barriers of personal protective equipment and telecommunication platforms. They also face uncharted challenges of facilitating discussions around proactive planning and scarce resources. Medical educators must be equipped to provide trainees with the skills needed to maintain empathy, facilitate trust and connection, and adapt communication behaviors under such crisis conditions. Using the Calgary-Cambridge model as a framework, the authors describe 3 new challenges to effective physician-patient communication for which COVID-19 was the impetus-face masks, visitor restrictions, and resource allocation/proactive planning discussions-and propose educational solutions.
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Stavropoulou A, Daniil M, Gerogianni G, Vasilopoulos G, Fasoi G, Papageorgiou D, Dafogianni C, Kelesi M. Nurses' Views on Caring for Lonely Patients During the Pandemic: A Qualitative Study. Cureus 2024; 16:e57639. [PMID: 38707112 PMCID: PMC11070056 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The implementation of safety measures in hospitals due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including family visitation restrictions, forced the family to be absent during the patient's hospitalization. Nurses were confronted with new roles and responsibilities, as caring for lonely patients was a new phenomenon that emerged during the pandemic. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to explore the nurses' views on caring for lonely patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A qualitative research method based on an inductive content analysis approach was used. Data collection was carried out using semi-structured interviews. The sample consisted of 11 nurses who worked in COVID-19 wards and units. Content analysis was used to analyze the interview data. RESULTS The analysis of the data revealed three main themes: 1) caring for the patient and the family; 2) extending conventional care; and 3) developing supportive mechanisms for better care. Caring for lonely patients brought about changes in patients's management and care and significantly affected communication patterns as well as nurses' roles and responsibilities. Providing care beyond limits, supporting care through the utilization of new technologies, and transforming organization and care were mentioned as areas of challenge for nursing practice. Conclusions: Maintaining communication and supporting the family's involvement in patient care are considered to be equal to healing for the lonely patient. Reshaping working conditions and caring practices to meet the needs of the nurses, the patients, and their families during health crises may contribute positively to the provision of holistic care for patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Georgia Fasoi
- Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, GRC
| | | | | | - Martha Kelesi
- Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, GRC
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Cullen I, Bailes M, Shropshire P, Perry S, Karlekar M. Connecting Families to Bereavement Resources: A Hospital-Based, Bereavement Follow-Up Pilot During First-Wave COVID-19. J Palliat Med 2024; 27:532-536. [PMID: 38346311 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Hospitals often lack bereavement programs. Bereaved families often navigate grief support on their own. This problem was complicated by the early COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: Describe a cost neutral pilot to support next of kin (NOK) of deceased patients from our communicable disease response unit (CDRU) and palliative care unit (PCU). Design: Ad hoc pilot leveraging chaplains and a social worker (SW) to call NOK for grief support using a templated guide, referring interested NOK to bereavement support agencies. Setting/Subjects: NOK of patients who died in the CDRU and PCU at a metropolitan, quaternary care, hospital over five months. Results: One hundred eighty-six patients died. Eighty-one NOK were called, 51 calls were considered complete. Fourteen NOK accepted a referral for bereavement support. Conclusions: This cost neutral pilot successfully connected 81 NOK with either a pilot chaplain or SW for bereavement support. Fourteen NOK accepted referral for a community bereavement resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Cullen
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Spiritual and Pastoral Care, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Melinda Bailes
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Patricia Shropshire
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Spiritual and Pastoral Care, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sherry Perry
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Spiritual and Pastoral Care, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mohana Karlekar
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Division of Internal Medicine and Public Health, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Lourenço M, Gomes T, Araujo F, Ventura F, Silva R. Challenges for palliative care in times of COVID-19: a scoping review. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1330370. [PMID: 38596518 PMCID: PMC11002222 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1330370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Many of the essential practices in palliative care (PC) had to be adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic. This global spread of the infectious respiratory disease, caused by SARS-CoV-2, created unprecedented obstacles. The aim of this research was to comprehensively assess the experiences and perceptions of healthcare professionals, individuals, and families in palliative and end-of-life situations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A scoping review was conducted using the databases CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, Scopus, SciELO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, MEDIClatina, and Portugal's Open Access Scientific Repository. The review followed the JBI® methodological approach for scoping reviews. Results Out of the initially identified 999 articles, 22 studies were included for analysis. The deprivation of relationships due to the safety protocols required to control the spread of COVID-19 was a universally perceived experience by healthcare professionals, individuals in PC, and their families. Social isolation, with significant psychological impact, including depersonalization and despair, was among the most frequently reported experiences by individuals in palliative situation. Despite healthcare professionals' efforts to mitigate the lack of relationships, the families of these individuals emphasized the irreplaceability of in-person bedside contact. Systematic review registration https://osf.io/xmpf2/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Lourenço
- Nursing School of Porto, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Porto, Portugal
| | - Tânia Gomes
- Urology Department - Santo António University Hospital Center, Porto, Portugal
| | - Fátima Araujo
- Nursing School of Porto, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipa Ventura
- The Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA: E), Nursing School of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rosa Silva
- Nursing School of Porto, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Porto, Portugal
- Centre for Evidence Based Practice: A JBI Centre of Excellence (PCEBP), Coimbra, Portugal
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Harada N, Koda M, Eguchi A, Hashizume M, Suzuki M, Nomura S. Changes in Place of Death among Patients with Dementia during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan: A Time Series Analysis. J Epidemiol 2024:JE20230279. [PMID: 38403690 DOI: 10.2188/jea.je20230279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A key measure of the effectiveness of end-of-life care is the place of death. The COVID-19 pandemic affected end-of-life care and the circumstances of patients with dementia. METHODS This observational, retrospective cohort study used Japanese national data to examine the numbers and locations of reported deaths among patients with dementia older than 65 years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Locations were grouped as medical institutions, nursing facilities, homes, or all the above. The quasi-Poisson regression model known as the Farrington algorithm was employed. RESULTS Between December 30, 2019, and January 29, 2023, 279,703 patients who died of causes related to dementia were reported in Japan. A decline was seen in early 2020, followed by increased numbers of deaths in homes, medical facilities, and nursing homes beginning in October 2020, December 2020, and March 2021, respectively. In 2021, the percentage of excess deaths at home peaked at 35.2%, while in 2022, those in medical facilities and nursing homes peaked at 18.8% and 16.6%, respectively. In 2022, the percentage of excess deaths in nursing homes exceeded that of other locations. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest a change in the preferred place of death, along with pandemic-related visitation restrictions among healthcare facilities. Excess deaths also suggest strained medical resources and limited access to care. Methodological limitations include data from a limited period (2017 onwards) and post-2020 data used to estimate data after 2021, albeit with weighting. Considering these findings, physicians should reconfirm preferred places of death among older patients with dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahoko Harada
- Department of Nursing Science, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University
| | - Masahide Koda
- Co-learning Community Healthcare Re-innovation Office, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University
| | - Akifumi Eguchi
- Department of Sustainable Health Science, Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University
| | - Masahiro Hashizume
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
| | - Motoi Suzuki
- Infectious Disease Surveillance Center at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases
| | - Shuhei Nomura
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Keio University
- Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research
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Cunningham C, Mayers P, Giddy J, De Swardt M, Hodkinson P. 'I am afraid the news is not good' - Breaking bad news in the time of COVID: Experiences from a field hospital. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med 2024; 16:e1-e10. [PMID: 38426776 PMCID: PMC10913135 DOI: 10.4102/phcfm.v16i1.4256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 Pandemic had profound effects on healthcare systems around the world. In South Africa, field hospitals, such as the Mitchell's Plain Field Hospital, managed many COVID patients and deaths, largely without family presence. Communicating with families, preparing them for death and breaking bad news was a challenge for all staff. AIM This study explores the experiences of healthcare professionals working in a COVID-19 field hospital, specifically around having to break the news of death remotely. SETTING A150-bed Mitchells Plain Field Hospital (MPFH) in Cape Town. METHODS A qualitative exploratory design was utilised using a semi-structured interview guide. RESULTS Four themes were identified: teamwork, breaking the news of death, communication and lessons learnt. The thread linking the themes was the importance of teamwork, the unpredictability of disease progression in breaking bad news and barriers to effective communication. Key lessons learnt included effective management and leadership. Many families had no access to digital technology and linguo-cultural barriers existed. CONCLUSION We found that in the Mitchell's Plain Field Hospital, communication challenges were exacerbated by the unpredictability of the illness and the impact of restrictions on families visiting in preparing them for bad news. We identified a need for training using different modalities, the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach and for palliative care guidelines to inform practice.Contribution: Breaking the news of death to the family is never easy for healthcare workers. This article unpacks some of the experiences in dealing with an extraordinary number of deaths by a newly formed team in the COVID era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charmaine Cunningham
- Department of Family, Community and Emergency Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town.
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Lapenskie J, Anderson K, Lawlor PG, Kabir M, Noel C, Heidinger B, Parsons HA, Cohen L, Gratton V, Besserer E, Adeli S, Murphy R, Warmels G, Bruni A, Bhimji K, Dyason C, Enright P, Desjardins I, Wooller K, Arsenault-Mehta K, Webber C, Bedard D, Iyengar A, Bush SH, Isenberg SR, Tanuseputro P, Vanderspank-Wright B, Downar J. Long-term bereavement outcomes in family members of those who died in acute care hospitals before and during the first wave of COVID-19: A cohort study. Palliat Med 2024; 38:264-271. [PMID: 38229211 PMCID: PMC10865760 DOI: 10.1177/02692163231223394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe grief is highly distressing and prevalent up to 1 year post-death among people bereaved during the first wave of COVID-19, but no study has assessed changes in grief severity beyond this timeframe. AIM Understand the trajectory of grief during the pandemic by reassessing grief symptoms in our original cohort 12-18 months post-death. DESIGN Prospective matched cohort study. SETTINGS/PARTICIPANTS Family members of decedents who died in an acute care hospital between November 1, 2019 and August 31, 2020 in Ottawa, Canada. Family members of patients who died of COVID (COVID +ve) were matched 2:1 with those who died of non-COVID illness (COVID -ve) during pandemic wave 1 or immediately prior to its onset (pre-COVID). Grief was assessed using the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG). RESULTS Follow-up assessment was completed by 92% (111/121) of family members in the initial cohort. Mean ICG score on the 12-18-month assessment was 19.9 (SD = 11.8), and severe grief (ICG > 25) was present in 28.8% of participants. One-third (33.3%) had either a persistently high (>25) or worsening ICG score (⩾4-point increase between assessments). Using a modified Poisson regression analysis, persistently high or worsening ICG scores were associated with endotracheal intubation in the deceased, but not cause of death (COVID +ve, COVID -ve, pre-COVID) or physical presence of the family member in the final 48 h of life. CONCLUSIONS Severe grief is a substantial source of psychological morbidity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, persisting more than a year post-death. Our findings highlight an acute need for effective and scalable means of addressing severe grief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lapenskie
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Koby Anderson
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Peter G. Lawlor
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère Continuing Care, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Monisha Kabir
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Chelsea Noel
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Brandon Heidinger
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Henrique A. Parsons
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Leila Cohen
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Valérie Gratton
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Samantha Adeli
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Rebekah Murphy
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère Continuing Care, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Queensway-Carleton Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Grace Warmels
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Queensway-Carleton Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Adrianna Bruni
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Queensway-Carleton Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Khadija Bhimji
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Queensway-Carleton Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Claire Dyason
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Paula Enright
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Isabelle Desjardins
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Krista Wooller
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Colleen Webber
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Shirley H Bush
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère Continuing Care, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sarina R Isenberg
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Peter Tanuseputro
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère Continuing Care, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Institut du Savoir Montfort, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Brandi Vanderspank-Wright
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - James Downar
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère Continuing Care, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology School of Law, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Boerner K, Stokes J, Jansen T. Widowhood and bereavement in late life. Curr Opin Psychol 2024; 55:101748. [PMID: 38071788 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2023.101748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Bereavement is a common and often challenging experience in late life. Evidence shows that while many older adults manage to adjust well and demonstrate resilience in response to the death of a close person, bereavement puts a substantial minority at risk of adverse mental and physical health impacts including mortality. Current research further indicates that 1) this is the case across different countries and cultures across the globe; 2) that the COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges for coping with late-life bereavement; 3) that loneliness and social isolation among bereaved older adults tend to be prevalent and harmful, particularly under pandemic but also in nonpandemic circumstances; and, recently, 4) that bereavement may be a risk factor for cognitive decline in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Boerner
- Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 140, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany; Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125, USA.
| | - Jeffrey Stokes
- Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Taylor Jansen
- Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125, USA
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Toyama M, Mori H, Kuriyama A, Sano M, Imura H, Nishimura M, Nakayama T. Challenges of using body bags for COVID-19 deaths from the healthcare provider perspective - a qualitative study. BMJ Open Qual 2024; 13:e002548. [PMID: 38290757 PMCID: PMC10828837 DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2023-002548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous issues regarding end-of-life care for COVID-19 patients have been discussed. Among these issues, challenges related to the use of body bags following the death of COVID-19 patients have been suggested. This study aimed to identify the challenges faced by healthcare professionals (HCPs) when using body bags after the death of patients infected with COVID-19 in medical settings. METHODS We conducted a qualitative descriptive study with semistructured in-depth interviews using inductive thematic analysis. From August to December 2021, we interviewed nurses and doctors who provided end-of-life care to COVID-19 patients focusing on their experiences with the use of body bags for the deceased. RESULTS Of the 25 interviewees who mentioned body bag use, 14 were nurses (56%) and 13 were women (52%). The mean interview length was 52.0 min (SD 9.6 min). Challenges associated with body bag use were classified into four themes with eight categories: preserving the dignity of the deceased, consideration for the bereaved saying a final goodbye to a loved one in a body bag, the physical and emotional impact on HCPs, and diverse opinions on body bag use. CONCLUSION Our findings include ethical concerns about the dignity of the deceased, empathy for the grief of bereaved families, and the emotional and physical distress experienced by HCPs struggling with the recommendation to use body bags based on limited evidence. The diverse perspectives of HCPs in this study highlight potential issues that developers should consider when formulating more appropriate and acceptable guidelines/guidance and policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Toyama
- Department of Health Informatics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroko Mori
- Department of Health Informatics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto, Japan
- Section of Epidemiology, Shizuoka Graduate University of Public Health, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Akira Kuriyama
- Department of Health Informatics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Makiko Sano
- Department of Health Informatics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Bukkyo University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Haruki Imura
- Department of Health Informatics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mayumi Nishimura
- Department of Health Informatics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takeo Nakayama
- Department of Health Informatics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto, Japan
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13
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Costeira C, Dixe MA, Querido A, Rocha A, Vitorino J, Santos C, Laranjeira C. Death Unpreparedness Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Concept Analysis. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:188. [PMID: 38255076 PMCID: PMC10815185 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12020188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic imposed changes upon the capacity of healthcare systems, with significant repercussions on healthcare provision, particularly at end-of-life. This study aims to analyze the concept map of death unpreparedness due to the COVID-19 pandemic, capturing the relationships among the attributes, antecedents, consequences, and empirical indicators. Walker and Avant's method was used to guide an analysis of this concept. A literature search was performed systematically, between May 2022 and August 2023, using the following electronic databases on the Elton Bryson Stephens Company (EBSCO) host platform: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline), Psychological Information Database (PsycINFO), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Complete, Cochrane Library, and Nursing and Allied Health Collection. Thirty-four articles were retrieved. The unexpected and unpredictable impositions associated with inexperience and unskillfulness in dealing with COVID-19 configured challenges for healthcare professionals, family/caregivers, and even the dying person. Nine key attributes emerged in three main domains: (1) Individual: (a) disease-related conditions, (b) separation distress, and (c) scarcity of death and grief literacy; (2) Relational: (a) Dying alone, (b) poor communication, and (c) existential issues; and (3) Contextual: (a) disrupted collective mourning and grieving, (b) disrupted compassionate care and, (c) pandemic social stigma. This study contributed a full definition of death unpreparedness in a global pandemic scenario such as COVID-19. In this sense, feeling unprepared or unready for death brought new challenges to the bioecological resources of those affected. It is essential to embrace strategies capable of providing emotional and spiritual support in the dying process and to respect patient wishes. The lessons learned from COVID-19 should be applied to events with a comparable impact to minimize their consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Costeira
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André-66-68, Campus 5, 13 Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal; (M.A.D.); (A.Q.); (C.S.)
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2—Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro—Apart. 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal;
- The Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA:E), Nursing School of Coimbra (ESEnfC), 3004-011 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Anjos Dixe
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André-66-68, Campus 5, 13 Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal; (M.A.D.); (A.Q.); (C.S.)
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2—Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro—Apart. 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal;
| | - Ana Querido
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André-66-68, Campus 5, 13 Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal; (M.A.D.); (A.Q.); (C.S.)
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2—Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro—Apart. 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal;
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), NursID, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Rocha
- Nursing School of Coimbra, Avenida Bissaya Barreto s/n, 3004-011 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Joel Vitorino
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2—Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro—Apart. 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal;
- Palliative Care Unit, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cátia Santos
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André-66-68, Campus 5, 13 Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal; (M.A.D.); (A.Q.); (C.S.)
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2—Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro—Apart. 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal;
| | - Carlos Laranjeira
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André-66-68, Campus 5, 13 Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal; (M.A.D.); (A.Q.); (C.S.)
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2—Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro—Apart. 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal;
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), University of Évora, 7000-801 Évora, Portugal
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14
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Tolotti A, Bonetti L, Luca CE, Villa M, Liptrott SJ, Steiner LM, Balice-Bourgois C, Biegger A, Valcarenghi D. Nurses Response to the Physical and Psycho-Social Care Needs of Patients with COVID-19: A Mixed-Methods Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:114. [PMID: 38201019 PMCID: PMC10778578 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12010114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic heavily impacted nursing care. This study aimed to understand which nursing interventions were instrumental in responding to COVID-19 patients' needs by exploring the experiences of patients and nurses. In this mixed-method study with an explanatory sequential design, we involved nurses caring for COVID-19 patients in intensive and sub-intensive care units and patients. In the first phase, we collected data through a survey that assessed patients' needs from the perspective of nurses and patients, as well as patient satisfaction. In the second phase, qualitative data were collected through interviews with patients and nurses. In the third phase, we extracted quantitative data from patients' records. Our sample included 100 nurses, 59 patients, 15 patient records, and 31 interviews (15 patients, 16 nurses). The results from the first phase showed patients and nurses agreed on the most important difficulties: "breathing", "sleep/rest", and "communication". Nursing care was rated positively by 90% of the patients. In the second phase, four themes were identified through the patients' interviews: "my problems", "my emotions", "helpful factors", and "nursing care". Five themes were identified through the nurses' interviews: "the context", "nurses' experiences and emotions", "facilitators and barriers to patient care", "nursing care", and "the professional role". From the third phase, the analysis of the clinical documentation, it was not possible to understand the nursing care model used by the nurses. In conclusion, nurses adopted a reactive-adaptive approach, based on experience/knowledge, pursuing generalized objectives, and adapting their response to the clinical evolution. In difficult contexts, nursing care requires a constant competent technical-relational presence at the patient's bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Tolotti
- Nursing Development and Research Unit, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Via Gallino, 12, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; (A.T.); (C.E.L.); (S.J.L.); (D.V.)
- Nursing Research Competence Centre, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Viale Officina, 3, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; (M.V.); (L.M.S.)
| | - Loris Bonetti
- Nursing Research Competence Centre, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Viale Officina, 3, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; (M.V.); (L.M.S.)
- Nursing Department Direction, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Viale Officina, 3, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland;
| | - Corina Elena Luca
- Nursing Development and Research Unit, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Via Gallino, 12, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; (A.T.); (C.E.L.); (S.J.L.); (D.V.)
- Nursing Research Competence Centre, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Viale Officina, 3, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; (M.V.); (L.M.S.)
- Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Via Tesserete, 46, 6903 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Michele Villa
- Nursing Research Competence Centre, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Viale Officina, 3, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; (M.V.); (L.M.S.)
- Cardiocentro Ticino Institute, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Via Tesserete, 48, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Jayne Liptrott
- Nursing Development and Research Unit, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Via Gallino, 12, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; (A.T.); (C.E.L.); (S.J.L.); (D.V.)
- Nursing Research Competence Centre, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Viale Officina, 3, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; (M.V.); (L.M.S.)
- Ospedale Regionale di Bellinzona e Valli, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Via Gallino, 12, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Laura Maria Steiner
- Nursing Research Competence Centre, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Viale Officina, 3, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; (M.V.); (L.M.S.)
- Nursing Department Direction, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Viale Officina, 3, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland;
| | - Colette Balice-Bourgois
- Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Via Tesserete, 46, 6903 Lugano, Switzerland;
| | - Annette Biegger
- Nursing Department Direction, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Viale Officina, 3, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland;
| | - Dario Valcarenghi
- Nursing Development and Research Unit, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Via Gallino, 12, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; (A.T.); (C.E.L.); (S.J.L.); (D.V.)
- Nursing Research Competence Centre, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Viale Officina, 3, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; (M.V.); (L.M.S.)
- Nursing Department Direction, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Viale Officina, 3, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland;
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15
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DeYoreo M, Anhang Price R, Haas A, Tolpadi A, Teno JM, Elliott MN. Changes in hospice care experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Am Geriatr Soc 2024; 72:300-302. [PMID: 37725395 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ann Haas
- RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Joan M Teno
- RAND Corporation, Arlington, Virginia, USA
- Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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16
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Trabert J, Schenk A, Golbach R, Püllen R, Schütze S. Family-centered delirium prevention and treatment using video calls: the FACE Delirium trial. Eur Geriatr Med 2023; 14:1353-1357. [PMID: 37647011 PMCID: PMC10754740 DOI: 10.1007/s41999-023-00854-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In the FACE Delirium trial, we investigated the feasibility of a structured FAmily-CEntered delirium prevention and treatment during the corona pandemic. METHODS Patients hospitalized in a German geriatric medicine department were included in this single-center, prospective, single-arm feasibility study. Their relatives received a short training on delirium and volunteers or paid staff members facilitated video calls. The primary endpoint was reached when contact between patients and their relatives occurred on ≥ 80% of treatment days, either via video call or visit. RESULTS 38 patients were included (age 83.0 ± 5.9 years; 73.7% women). 76.3% reached the primary endpoint. Due to the pandemic, 99.3% of the contacts were video calls with a duration of 24.8 ± 16.3 min. CONCLUSION Family-centered delirium prevention and treatment using video calls is feasible among hospitalized geriatric patients. Daily implementation in clinical practice poses challenges and requires motivated and qualified staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Trabert
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, AGAPLESION Markus Hospital, Wilhelm-Epstein-Strasse 4, 60431, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Andreas Schenk
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, AGAPLESION Markus Hospital, Wilhelm-Epstein-Strasse 4, 60431, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rejane Golbach
- Institute for Biostatistics and Mathematic Modelling, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rupert Püllen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, AGAPLESION Markus Hospital, Wilhelm-Epstein-Strasse 4, 60431, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sandra Schütze
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, AGAPLESION Markus Hospital, Wilhelm-Epstein-Strasse 4, 60431, Frankfurt, Germany
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17
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Moya-Salazar J, Cañari B, Zuñiga N, Jaime-Quispe A, Contreras-Pulache H. The End of Life Accompanied by COVID-19: A Qualitative Study on Changes in Behavior and Stigmatization of the Grieving Families in Peru (Part II). OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2023:302228231212655. [PMID: 37934453 DOI: 10.1177/00302228231212655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 has led to changes in every aspect of life and death. In Peru, where the longest quarantine has occurred with suboptimal results, the rituals have been turned around, impacting the relatives in multiple aspects. Here, we used a qualitative approach to analyze unresolved grief, hygiene changes, and stigma through semi-structured, online (Google Meet) interviews with 15 participants aged 20-72, who had lost family members to COVID-19. The recorded and transcribed interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Most participants had unresolved grief due to the blocking of funeral rituals, which could predispose them to prolonged mourning. After the loss of relatives, hygiene measures will be improved to avoid infections and new deaths in every family, while most participants felt no stigma in their milieu, since their relatives accompanied them during the funeral, supporting them from afar. It is important that interventions are implemented to prevent the progression of grief by providing mental health opportunities for the bereaved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeel Moya-Salazar
- Digital Transformation Center, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima, Peru
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Tecnológica Del Perú, Lima, Peru
| | - Betsy Cañari
- Digital Transformation Center, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima, Peru
- Qualitative Unit, Nesh Hubbs, Lima, Peru
| | - Nahomi Zuñiga
- Digital Transformation Center, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima, Peru
- Qualitative Unit, Nesh Hubbs, Lima, Peru
| | - Alexis Jaime-Quispe
- Digital Transformation Center, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima, Peru
- Qualitative Unit, Nesh Hubbs, Lima, Peru
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18
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Morris SE, Littlefield M, Mendu ML. Survey Study of a Hospital-Based Bereavement Program During COVID-19: Insights to Improve Support of the Bereaved. J Palliat Med 2023; 26:1542-1546. [PMID: 37610855 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that bereavement care is under-recognized with few hospitals offering universal bereavement services. Methods: One hundred sixty-nine bereaved individuals, whose loved ones died at our hospital during 2021 and 2022, completed a survey about their experience with the bereavement program. Results: Of respondents who recalled receiving bereavement outreach, 79% rated speaking to a team member soon after the death as having a positive impact on their bereavement, and 75% rated receiving a condolence call or note from the team positively. Feedback also identified opportunities for improvements in care: (1) importance of compassionate communication and connection with family members after a death; (2) more flexible hospital visitation policies; and (3) additional support for families during the end-of-life (EOL) period. Conclusions: The findings demonstrated that a hospital-based bereavement program can positively impact an individual's bereavement experience with a formal letter of condolence, psychoeducation information, and direct outreach from team members soon after death, being positively evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue E Morris
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Melissa Littlefield
- Department of Care Continuum Management, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mallika L Mendu
- Department of Care Continuum Management, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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19
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Kihara A, Kambayashi T, Shimonouchi Y, Mabuchi M, Nagai A, Kanzaki I, Fukagawa M. The Impact of Visitor Restrictions During COVID-19 Pandemic on Bereaved Family Members of Patients in Palliative Care Units. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2023; 40:1279-1284. [PMID: 36803015 PMCID: PMC9941005 DOI: 10.1177/10499091231159522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the families of patients in Palliative Care Units because of the visitor restrictions which were introduced to reduce the risk of infection. This study investigates how the bereaved families of the patients who died in end-of-life care during the pandemic evaluate the visitor restrictions and how the lack of direct communication with the patient affected them. We conducted a quantitative survey using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Participants were the bereaved families of patients who died in a Palliative Care Unit from April 2020 to March 2021. Their perspectives on the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on visitations, visitor restrictions, the quality of medical care in the month before the death of the patient, and online visitations were recorded in the survey. The results show that most participants experienced a negative impact on visitations. However, most respondents felt that the restrictions were unavoidable. According to visitor permissions in patients' last days, bereaved families were satisfied with the medical care provided for the patient and the amount of time spent with the patient in his/her last days. The importance of direct meetings during the last days of the patients' life for their family members was presented. We suggest further research to find measures which enable visitation in palliative care units, as caregiving from family and friends and maintaining COVID safety regulations are equally significant in end-of-life care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Kihara
- Palliative Care Unit, Kyoto Min-iren Asukai Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | | | - Makiko Mabuchi
- Palliative Care Unit, Kyoto Min-iren Asukai Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ayumi Nagai
- Palliative Care Unit, Kyoto Min-iren Asukai Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Iku Kanzaki
- Palliative Care Unit, Kyoto Min-iren Asukai Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Miyuki Fukagawa
- Palliative Care Unit, Kyoto Min-iren Asukai Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
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20
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Tacchini-Jacquier N, Monnay S, Bonvin E, Dubuis J, Verloo H. Relatives' experiences of visiting restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic's first wave: a PREMs study in Valais Hospital, Switzerland. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1008. [PMID: 37726727 PMCID: PMC10510254 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10013-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries introduced temporary visiting restrictions on the relatives of acute care hospital patients, whether or not they were infected with SARS-CoV-2. This affected relatives' psychological and emotional states and how closely they could be involved in their loved one's hospitalization. STUDY AIMS Investigate relatives' experiences of visiting restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic's first wave and the support offered by Valais Hospital's healthcare staff. METHODS Relatives and patients who had been discharged between February 28 and May 13, 2020, were asked to complete a patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) questionnaire, whether or not they had been infected by SARS-CoV-2. Relatives were asked about how visiting restrictions had affected them, their perceptions of the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the quality of communication concerning their loved ones' health status during their hospitalization, and the information received from healthcare staff. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed. RESULTS Of 866 PREMs questionnaires returned, 818 were analyzable, and 543 relatives had experienced visiting restrictions to their loved ones: 92 relatives (87%) of COVID-19 patients and 451 relatives (66%) of non-infected patients, with heterogenous effects on their psychological and affective status. Overall, whether or not relatives were subjected to visiting restrictions, they perceived themselves to be well treated, well informed, and that communication with hospital healthcare staff was satisfactory. However, relatives subjected to visiting restrictions reported significantly lower scores on the quality of communication than other relatives. The relatives of patients in gynecology/obstetrics and internal medicine wards were significantly more affected by visiting restrictions than were the relatives of patients in other wards. Numerous relatives subjected to visiting restrictions reported regular communication with their loved ones or with healthcare staff, at least once a day (n = 179), either via videoconferences using FaceTime®, WhatsApp®, Zoom®, or Skype® or via mobile phone text messages. CONCLUSION Visiting restrictions affected relatives differently depending on the wards their loved ones were hospitalized. Healthcare institutions should investigate the utility of visiting restrictions on patients, how they affect relatives, and how to improve personalized patient-relative communications. Future research should attempt to develop reliable, validated measurement instruments of relatives' experiences of acute-care visiting restrictions during pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Tacchini-Jacquier
- Development of Nursing Practices Unit, Valais Hospital, 86, Avenue du Grand-Champsec, CH-1951, Sion, Switzerland
| | - S Monnay
- Social Affairs and Human Resources Specialist, Valais Hospital, 86, Avenue du Grand-Champsec, CH-1951, Sion, Switzerland
| | - E Bonvin
- Valais Hospital, 86, Avenue Grand-Champsec, CH-1951, Sion, Switzerland
| | - J Dubuis
- Valais Family Caregivers' Association, 19, Avenue de Tourbillon, CH-1950, Sion, Switzerland
| | - H Verloo
- Valais Hospital, HES-SO Valais/Wallis, 5, Chemin de L'Agasse, CH-1950, Sion, Valais, Switzerland.
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21
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Carroll HK, Broderick A, McCarthy O, Bambury RM, Power DG, Collins DC, Connolly RM, Noonan SA, Collins D, Cunningham E, Kennedy M, O'Driscoll K, Nuzum D, Twomey K, O'Riordan A, O'Sullivan F, Roe C, Lowney AC, O'Leary MJ, O'Reilly S. Room to Improve: An Audit of In-Hospital End-of-Life Care for Oncology Patients in a Tertiary Cancer Centre in Ireland During the COVID-19 Pandemic. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2023:302228231196620. [PMID: 37670454 DOI: 10.1177/00302228231196620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic compounded isolation for patients through social distancing measures and staff shortages. We were concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on the quality of care provided at end-of-life in 2021 in a national cancer centre, and instigated the first ever review of the care of the dying. Quality of care was assessed retrospectively using a validated instrument developed by the United Kingdom's National Quality Board. Sixty-six patient deaths occurred in our cancer centre in 2021. The 'risk of dying' was documented in 65.2% of records. Palliative care services were involved in 77%, and pastoral care in 10.6%. What was important to the patient was documented in 24.2%. The 'quality-of-death' score was satisfactory for most but poor in 21.2%. Our study prompted change, including appointment of an end-of-life coordinator, development of a checklist to ensure comprehensive communication, expansion of the end-of-life committee to include junior doctors, and regular audit.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Orfhlaith McCarthy
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Marymount University Hospice, Cork, Ireland
| | - Richard M Bambury
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Cancer Research, College of Medicine and Health University College, UCC, Cork, Ireland
| | - Derek G Power
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Cancer Research, College of Medicine and Health University College, UCC, Cork, Ireland
| | - Dearbhaile C Collins
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Cancer Research, College of Medicine and Health University College, UCC, Cork, Ireland
| | - Roisin M Connolly
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Cancer Research, College of Medicine and Health University College, UCC, Cork, Ireland
| | - Sinead A Noonan
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Cancer Research, College of Medicine and Health University College, UCC, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Elaine Cunningham
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Marymount University Hospice, Cork, Ireland
| | - Mary Kennedy
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Marymount University Hospice, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Daniel Nuzum
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Marymount University Hospice, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | - Aoife C Lowney
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Marymount University Hospice, Cork, Ireland
| | - Mary Jane O'Leary
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Marymount University Hospice, Cork, Ireland
| | - Seamus O'Reilly
- Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- Cancer Research, College of Medicine and Health University College, UCC, Cork, Ireland
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22
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Drucker A, Levi-Belz Y, Hamdan S. Depression, Complicated Grief, and Suicide Ideation Following Bereavement During the COVID-19 Pandemic. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2023:302228231186361. [PMID: 37402646 PMCID: PMC10323518 DOI: 10.1177/00302228231186361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Many people lost a relative during the COVID-19 pandemic. Such a loss may have deleterious implications due to the circumstances of bereavement during lockdowns and social distancing. This study aimed to explore depressive symptoms, complicated grief, and suicidal ideation in the grieving process among 104 bereaved jewish adults who had lost relatives during the COVID-19 pandemic by completing self-reported questionnaires. The results indicate high suicidal ideation, complicated grief, and depression among them. Bereaved with suicidal ideation have an avoidant attachment and a close relationship with the deceased. These results highlight the adverse implication of COVID-19 on the grief process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adva Drucker
- School of Behavioral Sciences, The Academic College of Tel-Aviv Yaffo (MTA), Tel Aviv- Yaffo, Israel
| | - Yossi Levi-Belz
- The Lior Tsfaty Center for Suicide and Mental Pain Studies, Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Hefer, Israel
| | - Sami Hamdan
- School of Behavioral Sciences, The Academic College of Tel-Aviv Yaffo (MTA), Tel Aviv- Yaffo, Israel
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23
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Giannitrapani KF, McCaa MD, Maheta BJ, Raspi IG, Shreve ST, Lorenz KA. Serious illness care quality during COVID-19: Identifying improvement opportunities in narrative reports from a National Bereaved Family Survey. Palliat Med 2023; 37:1025-1033. [PMID: 37198879 PMCID: PMC10195683 DOI: 10.1177/02692163231175693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 significantly impacted care delivery to seriously ill patients, especially around including family and caregivers in patient care. AIM Based on routinely collected bereaved family reports, actionable practices were identified to maintain and improve care in the last month of life, with potential application to all seriously ill patients. DESIGN The Veterans Health Administration's Bereaved Family Survey is used nationally to gather routine feedback from families and caregivers of recent in-patient decedents; the survey includes multiple structured items as well as space for open narrative responses. The responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis with dual review. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Between February 2020 and March 2021, there were 5372 responses to the free response questions of which 1000 (18.6%) responses were randomly selected. The 445 (44.5%) responses from 377 unique individuals included actionable practices. RESULTS Bereaved family members and caregivers identified four opportunities with a total of 32 actionable practices. Opportunity 1: Facilitate the use of video communication, included four actionable practices. Opportunity 2: Provide timely and accurate responses to family concerns, included 17 actionable practices. Opportunity 3: Accommodate family/caregiver visitation, included eight actionable practices. Opportunity 4: Offer physical presence to the patient when family/caregivers are unable to visit, included three actionable practices. CONCLUSION The findings from this quality improvement project are applicable during a pandemic, but also translate to improving the care of seriously ill patients in other circumstances, such as when family members or caregivers are geographically distant from a loved one during the last weeks of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karleen F Giannitrapani
- VA Quality Improvement Resource Center for Palliative Care, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Matthew D McCaa
- VA Quality Improvement Resource Center for Palliative Care, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Bhagvat J Maheta
- VA Quality Improvement Resource Center for Palliative Care, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- California Northstate University College of Medicine, Elk Grove, CA, USA
| | - Isabella G Raspi
- VA Quality Improvement Resource Center for Palliative Care, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- The College of Arts and Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Scott T Shreve
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Palliative Care, Lebanon, PA, USA
| | - Karl A Lorenz
- VA Quality Improvement Resource Center for Palliative Care, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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24
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Wang XJ, Thomas KS, Belanger E, Dobbs D, Dosa DM. Hospice Aide Visits among Nursing Home Residents During the Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2023; 24:911-916.e6. [PMID: 37146643 PMCID: PMC10067455 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hospice aides are vital in delivering care to patients and family members at the end of life. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in disruptions in hospice care delivery, especially in long-term care settings. We aim to provide a description of hospice aide visits among nursing home residents enrolled in hospice during the first 9 months of 2020, as compared with the same months in 2019. DESIGN Observational cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS 153,109 and 152,077 long-stay nursing home residents enrolled in hospice in 2019 and 2020, respectively. METHODS On a monthly basis, we reported estimated probabilities of not having visits from hospice aides and adjusted visit minutes among those who had hospice aide visits for the 2019 and 2020 cohort, respectively. The regression models accounted for resident sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and nursing home fixed effects. The analyses were conducted at the national and state level, separately. RESULTS More than half of residents did not have any visits from hospice aides in 2020 from April and onward. Among residents who had hospice aide visits, the 2020 cohort had reduced visits in March and onward, with the greatest difference being 155 minutes less in April (95% CI: -163.4, -146.5). State-level analyses suggested that multiple factors besides community spread or state policies might contribute to the reduced presence of hospice aides. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our findings highlight the toll of the pandemic on hospice care delivery in nursing homes and the need for hospice care to be better incorporated into emergency preparedness planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Joyce Wang
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Kali S Thomas
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Health Services, Policy, & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Emmanuelle Belanger
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Health Services, Policy, & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Debra Dobbs
- School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, FL
| | - David M Dosa
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA; Warren Alpert Medical School, RI, USA
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25
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Garner O, Velamuri K, Staggers K, Braun AB. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education and procedural volume of fellows in critical care medicine - a cross-sectional survey. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2023; 23:371. [PMID: 37226108 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-023-04358-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way medical education is delivered. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education and procedural volume of critical care and pulmonary critical care fellows. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional, internet-based, voluntary, anonymous, national survey of adult critical care fellows and academic attending physicians in critical care and pulmonary critical care fellowship programs in the United States between December 2020 and February 2021. Survey questions covered both didactic and non-didactic aspects of education and procedural volumes. Answers were ranked on a 5-point Likert scale. Survey responses were summarized by frequency with percentage. Differences between the responses of fellows and attendings were assessed with the Fisher's exact or Chi-Square test, using Stata 16 software (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX). RESULTS Seventy four individuals responded to the survey; the majority (70.3%) were male; less than one-third (28.4%) female. Respondents were evenly split among fellows (52.7%) and attendings (47.3%). 41.9% of survey respondents were from the authors' home institution, with a response rate of 32.6%. Almost two-thirds (62.2%) reported that fellows spend more time in the ICU since the onset of the pandemic. The majority noted that fellows insert more central venous catheters (52.7%) and arterial lines (58.1%), but perform fewer bronchoscopies (59.5%). The impact on endotracheal intubations was mixed: almost half of respondents (45.9%) reported fewer intubations, about one-third (35.1%) more intubations. Almost all respondents (93.0%) described fewer workshops; and one-third (36.1%) fewer didactic lectures. The majority (71.2%) noted less time available for research and quality improvement projects; half (50.7%) noted less bedside teaching by faculty and more than one-third (37.0%) less fellow interaction with faculty. Almost one-half of respondents (45.2%) reported an increase in fellows' weekly work hours. CONCLUSION The pandemic has caused a decrease in scholarly and didactic activities of critical care and pulmonary critical care fellows. Fellows spend more time in ICU rotations, insert more central and arterial lines, but perform fewer intubations and bronchoscopies. This survey provides insights into changes that have occurred in the training of critical care and pulmonary critical care fellows since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orlando Garner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kanta Velamuri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kristen Staggers
- Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andrea Barbara Braun
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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26
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Jeon H, Kim S, Lee I. "The communication I had with him back then is still stuck in my mind." Bereaved families of cancer patients' experiences for end-of-life communication. Support Care Cancer 2023; 31:277. [PMID: 37071223 PMCID: PMC10111311 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-07753-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Communication with family members is important to end-of-life care for patients with cancer. It is an interactive engagement between terminally-ill cancer patients and their families through which they expand their mutual understanding to cope with losses and find meaning in death. This study aimed to describe the experiences of end-of-life communication between patients with cancer and their family members in South Korea. METHODS This is a qualitative descriptive study using in-depth semi-structured interviews. Ten bereaved family members with end-of-life communication experience with terminal cancer patients were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS A total of 29 constructed meanings, 11 sub-categories, and the following 3 categories were derived: "Offering a space for patients to reminisce and reflect," "Building a bond," and "Reflections on what we need." End-of-life communication primarily centered on the patients, with families struggling to share their stories with them. Although the families coped well, they also regretted the lack of meaningful communication with the patients, indicating a need for support to facilitate effective end-of-life communication. CONCLUSION The study highlighted concrete communication for finding meaning at the end-of-life for cancer patients and their families. We found that the families have the potential to communicate appropriately to cope with the patients' end-of-life. Nevertheless, end-of-life presents a unique challenge in which families require adequate support. Given the increasing number of patients and families dealing with end-of-life care in hospitals, healthcare providers should be mindful of their needs and help them cope effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heejung Jeon
- Department of Nursing, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghee Kim
- College of Nursing and Mo-Im Kim Nursing Research Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ilhak Lee
- Division of Medical Law and Ethics, Department of Medical Humanities and Social Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Asian Institute for Bioethics and Health Law, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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27
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Jungestrand L, Holm E, Rose L, Wolf A, Ringdal M. Family member perspectives on intensive care unit in-person visiting restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study. Intensive Crit Care Nurs 2023; 75:103347. [PMID: 36470700 PMCID: PMC9637525 DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2022.103347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family member presence in the intensive care unit is important for patient well-being and recovery. Limitations to visits increase the risk of psychological distress in family members. During the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person visiting restrictions were introduced to prevent the spread of infection. PURPOSE To explore the experience of in-person visiting restrictions imposed during the pandemic on family members of patients with COVID-19 admitted to an intensive care unit. METHOD Qualitative method with thematic analysis. Individual semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted. FINDINGS We interviewed 21 family members. The results are presented in one overall theme with two main themes and five sub-themes. The theme 'Striving for closeness even at a distance describes the experience of being kept at a physical distance when participants needed closeness the most. Even participants who were allowed in-person visits perceived a 'distance' due to personal protective equipment or because they could only view the patient from a window. Participants reported that contact with and information about the patient was of utmost importance. Visits were viewed as essential in providing for the patient's wellbeing. Meaningful contact with the ICU team was vital for getting useful information. Phone calls became a lifeline, with digital aids such as video calls used occasionally to overcome the feeling of distance. CONCLUSION Visiting restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic made straightforward and comprehensible communication of information from the ICU team more essential to reduce family members' perceptions of distance and exclusion from the intensive care unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Jungestrand
- Kungälvs hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kungälv, Sweden
| | - Emma Holm
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Louise Rose
- Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Axel Wolf
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Gothenburg, Sweden; Institute of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mona Ringdal
- Kungälvs hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kungälv, Sweden; Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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28
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Reeves M, Bunch D, Venable C, Hayes KMS, Rice TW, Kleinpell R. Developing and Evaluating a Novel Educational Intensive Care Unit Wall Map. Crit Care Nurse 2023; 43:80-82. [PMID: 37001868 DOI: 10.4037/ccn2023731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Martha Reeves
- Martha Reeves is an RN 4 in the medical intensive care unit at Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Devin Bunch
- Devin Bunch is Director, Emergency Operations, Vanderbilt Medical Center
| | - Chuck Venable
- Chuck Venable is a staff nurse practitioner in the Department of Hospital Medicine, Bons Secour - Mercy Health Anderson, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - K Melissa Smith Hayes
- K. Melissa Smith Hayes is an assistant professor, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Todd W Rice
- Todd W. Rice is an associate professor of medicine, allergy, pulmonary, and critical care medicine and Director of the medical intensive care unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
| | - Ruth Kleinpell
- Ruth Kleinpell is Associate Dean for Clinical Scholarship and a professor, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
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29
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Frey R, Balmer D. The challenges for health professionals delivering palliative care in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic: An integrative review. Palliat Support Care 2023:1-13. [DOI: 10.1017/s1478951523000275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
The growing demand for palliative care has been accelerated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, providing community-based palliative care was also more difficult to do safely and faced several challenges. The goal of this integrative review was to identify, describe, and synthesize previous studies on the challenges for health professionals delivering palliative care in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
Searches were carried out on the Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Social Care Online, PubMed, Embase, and Expanded Academic databases. Journals typically reporting palliative care and community health studies were also searched (Palliative Medicine, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, and Health & Social Care in the Community). All articles were peer-reviewed and published in English between December 2019 and September 2022.
Results
Database and hand searches identified 1231 articles. After duplicates were removed and the exclusion criteria applied, 27 articles were included in the final review. Themes in the research findings centered on 6 interconnected categories. The challenges imposed by the pandemic (lack of resources, communication difficulties, access to education and training, and interprofessional coordination), as well as the varying levels of success of the health-care responses, impacted the well-being of health professionals and, in turn, the well-being and care of patients and families.
Significance of results
The pandemic has provided the impetus for rethinking flexible and innovative approaches to overcome the challenges of delivering community palliative care. However, existing governmental and organizational policies require revision to improve communication and effective interprofessional collaboration, and additional resources are needed. A blended model of virtual and in-person palliative care delivery may provide the best solution to community palliative care delivery moving forward.
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30
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Schmidt-Hellerau K, Raichle C, Ruethrich MM, Vehreschild JJ, Lanznaster J, Nunes de Miranda SM, Bausewein C, Vehreschild MJGT, Koll CEM, Simon ST, Hellwig K, Jensen BEO, Jung N. Specialized palliative care for hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: an analysis of the LEOSS registry. Infection 2023:10.1007/s15010-023-02020-z. [PMID: 36952127 PMCID: PMC10034879 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-023-02020-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Symptom control for patients who were severely ill or dying from COVID-19 was paramount while resources were strained and infection control measures were in place. We aimed to describe the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients who received specialized palliative care (SPC) and the type of SPC provided in a larger cohort. METHODS From the multi-centre cohort study Lean European Open Survey on SARS-CoV-2 infected patients (LEOSS), data of patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection documented between July 2020 and October 2021 were analysed. RESULTS 273/7292 patients (3.7%) received SPC. Those receiving SPC were older and suffered more often from comorbidities, but 59% presented with an estimated life expectancy > 1 year. Main symptoms were dyspnoea, delirium, and excessive tiredness. 224/273 patients (82%) died during the hospital stay compared to 789/7019 (11%) without SPC. Symptom control was provided most common (223/273; 95%), followed by family and psychological support (50% resp. 43%). Personal contact with friends or relatives before or during the dying phase was more often documented in patients receiving SPC compared to patients without SPC (52% vs. 30%). CONCLUSION In 3.7% of SARS-CoV-2 infected hospitalized patients, the burden of the acute infection triggered palliative care involvement. Besides complex symptom management, SPC professionals also focused on psychosocial and family issues and aimed to enable personal contacts of dying patients with their family. The data underpin the need for further involvement of SPC in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients but also in other severe chronic infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Schmidt-Hellerau
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Claudia Raichle
- Department of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Tropenklinik Paul-Lechler Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Maria M Ruethrich
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Haematology and Medical Oncology, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Jörg J Vehreschild
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department II of Internal Medicine, Haematology/Oncology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Julia Lanznaster
- Department II of Internal Medicine, Hospital Passau, Passau, Germany
| | - Susana M Nunes de Miranda
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Claudia Bausewein
- Department of Palliative Medicine, LMU University Hospital Munich, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Maria J G T Vehreschild
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Carolin E M Koll
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Steffen T Simon
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kerstin Hellwig
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Björn-Erik O Jensen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Norma Jung
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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31
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Panattoni LE, McDermott CL, Li L, Sun Q, Fedorenko CR, Sanchez HA, Kreizenbeck KL, Shankaran V, Ramsey SD. Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Place of Death Among Medicaid and Commercially Insured Patients With Cancer in Washington State. J Clin Oncol 2023; 41:1610-1617. [PMID: 36417688 PMCID: PMC10489265 DOI: 10.1200/jco.22.00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions in health care delivery might have affected end-of-life care in patients with cancer. We examined changes in place of death and hospice support for Medicaid and commercially insured patients during the pandemic. PATIENTS AND METHODS We linked Washington State cancer registry records with claims from Medicaid and two commercial insurers for patients with solid tumor age 18-64 years. The study included 322 Medicaid and 162 commercial patients who died between March 2017 and June 2019 (pre-COVID-19), along with 90 Medicaid and 47 commercial patients who died between March and June 2020 (COVID-19). Place of death was categorized as hospital, hospice (home or nonhospital facility), and home without hospice. Place of death was compared using adjusted multinomial logistic regressions stratified by payer and time period (pre-COVID-19 v COVID-19). The clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with dying at home without hospice were examined, and adjusted marginal effects (ME) are reported. RESULTS In the adjusted pre-COVID-19 analysis, Medicaid patients were more likely than commercially insured patients to die in hospital (48% v 36%; adjusted ME, 11%; P = .02). In the pre-COVID-19/COVID-19 analysis, Medicaid patients' place of death shifted from hospital (48% v 32%; ME, -16%; P < .01) to home without hospice (19.9% v 38.0%; ME, 16.5%; P < .01). However, there were no statistically significant changes pre-COVID-19/COVID-19 for commercial patients. As a result, during COVID-19, Medicaid patients were more likely than commercial patients to die at home without hospice (38% v 22%; ME, 16%; P = .04) as were male versus female patients (ME, 16%; P < .01). CONCLUSION The pandemic might have disproportionately worsened the end-of-life experience for Medicaid enrollees with cancer. Attention should be paid to societal and health system factors that decrease access to care for Medicaid patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Panattoni
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
- PRECISIONheor, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Cara L. McDermott
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Li Li
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Qin Sun
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Catherine R. Fedorenko
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Hayley A. Sanchez
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Karma L. Kreizenbeck
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Veena Shankaran
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Scott D. Ramsey
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
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32
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Nguyen NP, Karlsson UL, Lehrman D, Mazibuko T, Saghatelyan T, Thariat J, Baumert BG, Vinh-Hung V, Gorobets O, Giap H, Singh S, Chi A, Alessandrini G, Ahluwalia A, Durosinmi-Etti F, Zegarra Cárdenas J, Diabate K, Oboite J, Oboite E, Mehmood T, Vuong T, Kim L, Page BR. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on older cancer patients: Proposed solution by the International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1091329. [PMID: 36959795 PMCID: PMC10027708 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1091329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Older cancer patients are disproportionally affected by the Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. A higher rate of death among the elderly and the potential for long-term disability have led to fear of contracting the virus in these patients. This fear can, paradoxically, cause delay in diagnosis and treatment that may lead to a poor outcome that could have been prevented. Thus, physicians should devise a policy that both supports the needs of older patients during cancer treatment, and serves to help them overcome their fear so they seek out to cancer diagnosis and treatment early. A combination of telemedicine and a holistic approach, involving prayers for older cancer patients with a high level of spirituality, may improve vaccination rates as well as quality of life during treatment. Collaboration between health care workers, social workers, faith-based leaders, and cancer survivors may be crucial to achieve this goal. Social media may be an important component, providing a means of sending the positive message to older cancer patients that chronological age is not an impediment to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nam Phong Nguyen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Ulf Lennart Karlsson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group, Washington, DC, United States
| | - David Lehrman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Thandeka Mazibuko
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Tatul Saghatelyan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Center of Oncology, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Juliette Thariat
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Francois Baclesse Cancer Center, Cain, France
| | - Brigitta G. Baumert
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Graubuenden, Chur, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Vinh-Hung
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Hospitalier de La Polynesie Francaise, Tahiti, French Polynesia
| | - Olena Gorobets
- Department of Oral Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Martinique, Martinique, France
| | - Huan Giap
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Sankalp Singh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi, India
| | - Alexander Chi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | - Abhinav Ahluwalia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Advanced Care Oncology Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Jorge Zegarra Cárdenas
- Division of Medical Oncology, Regional Institute of Neoplastic Disease, Concepcion, Peru
| | | | - Joan Oboite
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Eromosele Oboite
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Tahir Mehmood
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Northampton General Hospital, Northampton, United Kingdom
| | - Te Vuong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lyndon Kim
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, United States
| | - Brandi R. Page
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
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do Prado E, Camparoto CW, Takemoto AY, Ichisato SMT, Miguel MEGB, Marcon SS. Palliative care strategies in the management of people with serious cases of COVID-19. Rev Bras Enferm 2023; 76Suppl 1:e20220308. [PMID: 36888747 PMCID: PMC9987459 DOI: 10.1590/0034-7167-2022-0308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES to analyze the assistance strategies in palliative care developed in the COVID-19 pandemic for critically ill patients and their families. METHODS an integrative review carried out in August 2021 and updated in April 2022 in the Base de Dados de Enfermagem (BDENF), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), US National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Web of Science databases, and presented in the PRISMA flowchart. RESULTS thirteen works were selected for reading and content analysis, from which emerged the two main themes that reflect the reality evidenced in this context: The sudden advent of COVID-19 with impacts on palliative care; and The strategies used in palliative care to mitigate these impacts. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS palliative care is the best strategy for providing health care, used as a comfort to bring relief and comfort to patients and families.
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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Experiences of Hospitalized Patients: A Scoping Review. J Patient Saf 2023; 19:e46-e52. [PMID: 36459699 PMCID: PMC9940789 DOI: 10.1097/pts.0000000000001084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify the factors that exerted an impact on the experiences of hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic from the quality and safety perspectives. METHOD A scoping review that followed the 5 stages described by Arksey and O'Malley was used. A systematized search of original studies was conducted in 9 databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, BDENF, CINAHL, LILACS, SciELO, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The factors that exerted an impact on patients' experiences were summarized, considering the perspective of quality and patient safety in health institutions. The factors were categorized using the Content Analysis technique. RESULTS A total of 6950 studies were screened, and 32 met the eligibility criteria. The main factors that exerted an impact on the patients' experience were as follows: caregiver/family concern with the patients' well-being during hospitalization, search for alternative communication and interaction means between the patients and their family, and changes in health care organization. The restrictions inherent to the policy regarding visits and companions exerted a negative impact on the experiences, increasing the patients' feelings of loneliness and isolation. Negative impacts were also evidenced in the hospital admission and discharge process and in the limitation of treatment possibilities offered to the patients, because of contact restrictions. CONCLUSIONS The factors that exerted an impact on the patients' experiences permeate communication between professionals, patients, and family members, with implications for health care quality.
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Aldridge MD, Franzosa E, Kim P, Xu E, Reckrey J, Zhang M, Zhao D, Ornstein KA. Disruptions in Home Hospice Care due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Palliat Med 2023; 26:244-247. [PMID: 36394438 PMCID: PMC9894593 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There is limited evidence regarding the challenges of providing hospice care to those dying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: To describe the challenges of home hospice care and the specific types of disruptions in care processes experienced by patients and families. Design: Qualitative study of the electronic medical record notes of a large New York City (NYC) home-based primary care program. Setting/Subjects: Subjects were 58 patients referred to hospice who died during the initial NYC COVID-19 surge from March to June 2020. Results: We identified six domains of disruptions in home hospice care: delayed hospice enrollment, inability to conduct home visits, lack of needed supplies, communication failures, strained caregivers, and limitations of telehealth. Conclusions: This study provides a critical first analysis of disruptions in home hospice care that can feasibly be addressed and must be prioritized by hospices throughout the ongoing pandemic and in advance of future emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa D. Aldridge
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Center, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Emily Franzosa
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Center, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Patricia Kim
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Emily Xu
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer Reckrey
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Meng Zhang
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Duzhi Zhao
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Katherine A. Ornstein
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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36
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Franzosa E, Kim P, Reckrey JM, Zhang M, Xu E, Aldridge MD, Federman AD, Ornstein KA. Care Disruptions and End-Of-Life Care Experiences Among Home-Based Primary Care Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic in New York City: A Retrospective Chart Review. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2023; 40:225-234. [PMID: 35775300 PMCID: PMC9253522 DOI: 10.1177/10499091221104732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Research on deaths during COVID-19 has largely focused on hospitals and nursing homes. Less is known about medically complex patients receiving care in the community. We examined care disruptions and end-of-life experiences of homebound patients receiving home-based primary care (HBPC) in New York City during the initial 2020 COVID-19 surge. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients enrolled in Mount Sinai Visiting Doctors who died between March 1-June 30, 2020. We collected patient sociodemographic and clinical data and analyzed care disruptions and end-of-life experiences using clinical notes, informed by thematic and narrative analysis. Results: Among 1300 homebound patients, 112 (9%) died during the study period. Patients who died were more likely to be older, non-Hispanic white, and have dementia than those who survived. Thirty percent of decedents had confirmed or probable COVID-19. Fifty-eight (52%) were referred to hospice and 50 enrolled. Seventy-three percent died at home. We identified multiple intersecting disruptions in family caregiving, paid caregiving, medical supplies and services, and hospice care, as well as hospital avoidance, complicating EOL experiences. The HBPC team responded by providing clinical, logistical and emotional support to patients and families. Conclusion: Despite substantial care disruptions, the majority of patients in our study died at home with support from their HBPC team as the practice worked to manage care disruptions. Our findings suggest HBPC's multi-disciplinary, team-based model may be uniquely suited to meet the needs of the most medically and socially vulnerable older adults at end of life during public health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Franzosa
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics
and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Geriatric Research, Education, and
Clinical Center (GRECC), James J. Peters
VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Patricia Kim
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics
and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer M. Reckrey
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics
and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emily Xu
- Department of Medical Education,
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Melissa D. Aldridge
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics
and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alex D. Federman
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics
and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine A. Ornstein
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics
and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Hriberšek M, Eibensteiner F, Kapral L, Teufel A, Nawaz FA, Cenanovic M, Sai CS, Devkota HP, De R, Singla RK, Parvanov ED, Tsagkaris C, Atanasov AG, Schaden E. "Loved ones are not 'visitors' in a patient's life"-The importance of including loved ones in the patient's hospital stay: An international Twitter study of #HospitalsTalkToLovedOnes in times of COVID-19. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1100280. [PMID: 36778575 PMCID: PMC9909431 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1100280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hospitals are institutions whose primary task is to treat patients. Family-centered care, which considers loved ones as equal partners in patient care, has been gaining recognition in the adult care setting. Our aim was to record experiences of and opinions on communication between hospital-based healthcare providers and patients' loved ones, related but not limited to the rigorous mitigation measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The Twitter profile @HospitalsTalkTo and hashtag #HospitalsTalkToLovedOnes were created to interact with the Twitter public between 7 June 2021 and 7 February 2022. Conversations surrounding #HospitalsTalkToLovedOnes were extracted and subjected to natural language processing analysis using term frequency and Markov chain analysis. Qualitative thematic analysis was performed on the 10% most interacted tweets and of tweets mentioning "COVID" from a personal experience-based subset. Results We collected 4412 unique tweets made or interacted by 7040 Twitter users from 142 different countries. The most frequent words were patient, hospital, care, family, loved and communication. Thematic analysis revealed the importance of communication between patients, patients' loved ones and hospitals; showed that patients and their loved ones need support during a patient's hospital journey; and that pediatric care should be the gold standard for adult care. Visitation restrictions due to COVID-19 are just one barrier to communication, others are a lack of phone signal, no space or time for asking questions, and a complex medical system. We formulate 3 recommendations to improve the inclusion of loved ones into the patient's hospital stay. Conclusions "Loved ones are not 'visitors' in a patient's life". Irrespective of COVID-19, patient's loved ones need to be included during the patient's hospital journey. Transparent communication and patient empowerment increase patient safety and improve the hospital experience for both the patients and their loved ones. Our findings underline the need for the concept of family-centered care to finally be implemented in adult nursing clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojca Hriberšek
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fabian Eibensteiner
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lorenz Kapral
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Teufel
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Faisal A. Nawaz
- Department of Psychiatry, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | | | | | - Hari Prasad Devkota
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan,Pharmacy Program, Gandaki University, Pokhara, Nepal
| | - Ronita De
- Department of ICMR-NICED Virus Lab, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Rajeev K. Singla
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Emil D. Parvanov
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Department of Translational Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
| | | | - Atanas G. Atanasov
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Department of Biotechnology and Nutrigenomics, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Eva Schaden
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,*Correspondence: Eva Schaden ✉
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38
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Prado ED, Camparoto CW, Takemoto AY, Ichisato SMT, Miguel MEGB, Marcon SS. Estratégias de cuidados paliativos no manejo de pessoas com casos graves da COVID-19. Rev Bras Enferm 2023. [DOI: 10.1590/0034-7167-2022-0308pt] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
RESUMO Objetivos: analisar as estratégias assistenciais em cuidados paliativos desenvolvidas na pandemia de COVID-19 aos pacientes graves e familiares. Métodos: revisão integrativa, realizada em agosto de 2021 e atualizada em abril de 2022, nas bases de dados Base de Dados de Enfermagem (BDENF), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), US National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Web of Science, e apresentadas no fluxograma PRISMA. Resultados: foram selecionados treze trabalhos para leitura e análise de conteúdo, dos quais emergiram as duas principais temáticas que traduzem a realidade evidenciada neste contexto: O advento súbito da COVID-19 com impactos nos cuidados paliativos; e, As estratégias utilizadas em cuidados paliativos para amenizar esses impactos. Considerações Finais: os cuidados paliativos se convergem na melhor estratégia de prestação de atendimento à saúde, usados como um acalento para trazer alívio e conforto aos pacientes e às famílias.
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Soliman AA, Akgün KM, Coffee J, Kapo J, Morrison LJ, Hopkinson E, Schulman-Green D, Feder SL. Quality of Telehealth-Delivered Inpatient Palliative Care During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 65:6-15. [PMID: 36206949 PMCID: PMC9532267 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Consequent to increasing COVID-19 infection rates, the Palliative Care (PC) service at a large New England hospital shifted from in-person to telehealth-delivered PC (TPC). OBJECTIVES We compared the quality of TPC to in-person PC during the early COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We conducted an electronic health record review of PC consultations of patients hospitalized during three periods: pre-COVID January, 2020-February, 2020 (in-person); peak-COVID March, 2020-June, 2020 (majority TPC); and post-peak September, 2020-October, 2020 (majority in-person). We examined the relationship between these periods and PC delivery characteristics and quality measures using descriptive and bivariate statistics. RESULTS Of 377 patients, 50 were pre-COVID (TPC=0%), 271 peak-COVID (TPC=79.3%), and 56 post-peak (TPC<2%) (representation of PC consult: pre- and post-peak=samples; peak-COVID=all consults). Mean age was 69.3 years (standard deviation=15.5), with 54.9% male, 68.7% White, and 22.8% Black. Age and sex did not differ by period. PC consultations were more likely for goals of care (pre=30.0% vs. peak=53.9% vs. post=57.1%; P = 0.005) or hospice (4.0% vs. 14.4% vs. 5.4%, P = 0.031) during peak-COVID compared to pre-COVID. Rates of assessment of physical (98.0% vs. 63.5% vs. 94.6%, P < 0.001) and psychological symptoms (90.0% vs. 33.1% vs. 67.9%, P < 0.001) were lower during peak relative to pre-COVID and post-peak periods. There were no differences in assessment of patients' social needs, family burden, or goals of care across periods. CONCLUSION The PC service provided high-quality inpatient PC using TPC despite significant strain during the early COVID-19 pandemic. Developing and testing strategies to promote comprehensive symptom control using TPC remains a priority to adjust to potential unmet PC needs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathleen M Akgün
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System (K.M.A., S.L.F.), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Jane Coffee
- Yale School of Nursing (J.C.), West Haven, CT
| | | | | | | | | | - Shelli L Feder
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System (K.M.A., S.L.F.), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
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40
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Dinapoli L, Ferrarese D, Belella D, Carnevale S, Camardese G, Sani G, Chieffo DPR. Psychological treatment of traumatic memories in COVID-19 survivors. Clin Psychol Psychother 2023; 30:225-233. [PMID: 35916065 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected a significant number of individuals worldwide, is generating serious mental health issues. Recovered COVID-19 patients have experienced traumatic events related to their symptoms, isolation, possible hospitalization, bereavement, fear of infecting loved ones and the physical consequences of COVID-19. One effective psychological treatment for these patients is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). The aim of this paper is to describe the therapeutic intervention and effects of EMDR in a pool of COVID-19 survivors referred to an integrated psychological/psychiatric outpatient service. Twelve patients, comprising of nine males and three females, underwent EMDR psychotherapy from October 2020 to February 2022. Each patient received 8-16 weekly treatment sessions. The standard EMDR protocol of eight stages was administered to enable desensitization and reprocessing of four main targets: first positive swab, hospitalization, isolation and fear for relatives' health. Efficacy of EMDR was demonstrated by the significant improvement at clinical scale for subjective distress caused by traumatic events. For the therapists, carrying out these treatments was an intense and challenging experience. In fact, the perceived distance between therapist and patient was less defined than in other hospital settings because the pandemic affects everyone equally. However, with the widespread availability of vaccines and although the pandemic is still ongoing with the emergence of new variants, a window of improvement in the mental health landscape is starting to open up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Dinapoli
- UOS di Psicologia Clinica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,UOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Ferrarese
- UOS di Psicologia Clinica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,UOC di Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Area di Gastroenterologia e Oncologia Medica, Dipartimento di Scienze Gastroenterologiche, Endocrino-Metaboliche e Nefro-Urologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Belella
- UOS di Psicologia Clinica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,UOC di Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Area di Gastroenterologia e Oncologia Medica, Dipartimento di Scienze Gastroenterologiche, Endocrino-Metaboliche e Nefro-Urologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Carnevale
- UOS di Psicologia Clinica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Centro Integrato di Senologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Camardese
- UOC Psichiatria Clinica e d'urgenza, Dipartimento di Scienze dell'invecchiamento, neurologiche, ortopediche e della testa-collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Sani
- UOC Psichiatria Clinica e d'urgenza, Dipartimento di Scienze dell'invecchiamento, neurologiche, ortopediche e della testa-collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Pia Rosaria Chieffo
- UOS di Psicologia Clinica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Tao X, Yu CC, Low JA. Exploring loss and grief during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review of qualitative studies. ANNALS OF THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, SINGAPORE 2022. [DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2021460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about multiple losses to various groups, namely patients, families and healthcare professionals. Grief, which is the reaction to these losses, could cause strain on these individuals’ physical and mental health if not identified and managed early. This scoping review analysed loss, grief and how they were managed among these groups during the pandemic.
Method: This scoping review utilised the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and the Joanna Briggs Institute framework for scoping reviews. Only qualitative studies relating to loss and grief and their management were included. Of 166 studies screened, 69 were included in the study. Qualitative analysis and data coding of each record were conducted through qualitative data analysis software.
Results: Losses included the death of family members, patients, colleagues and others. They also included the loss of usual routines, lifestyles and physical health. The grief experienced was multidimensional, affecting mainly the emotional, physical, social and existential realms. Anger, guilt and fear resulted from unsatisfactory farewells, issues with funerals, social isolation, financial strain and stigmatisation. Management strategies could be categorised into 5 themes: communication, finance, counselling, education and spiritual care.
Conclusion: Loss and grief identification and management among patients, family members and healthcare professionals are critically important during this COVID-19 pandemic. Current operating guidelines have proven insufficient in managing loss and grief. Innovative strategies are essential to tackle the many dimensions of loss and grief. Nevertheless, further research is necessary to better understand the effectiveness of implemented policies.
Keywords: Bereavement, death, mourning, outbreak, palliative care
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Tao
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Chou Chuen Yu
- Geriatric Education and Research Institute, Yishun Community Hospital, Singapore
| | - James Alvin Low
- Geriatric Education and Research Institute, Yishun Community Hospital, Singapore
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Voultsos P, Tsompanian A, Deligianni M, Tsamadou E, Tsaroucha AK. A qualitative study of nursing practitioners' experiences with COVID-19 patients dying alone in Greece. Front Public Health 2022; 10:981780. [PMID: 36339201 PMCID: PMC9634155 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.981780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In Greece, there is still limited research on death in isolation due to COVID-19. This deserves attention because of the recent financial crisis, which profoundly impacted public health, and the high relevance of the Hippocratic tradition to the moral values of clinical practice. Methods A prospective qualitative study using in-depth interviews with 15 frontline nursing practitioners working in a COVID-19 ward or intensive care unit (ICU) was conducted from July 2021 to December 2021. Results The inability of family members to say a final goodbye before, during, or after death by performing proper mourning rituals is extremely inhuman and profoundly impacts the mental health status of patients, family members, and nursing practitioners. Patients and their family members strongly desire to see each other. Epidemiology, liability, and proper nursing performance emerged as reasons for the enforced strict visitation restrictions. Participants emphasized that visitations should be allowed on an individual basis and highlighted the need for the effective use of remote communication technology, which, however, does not substitute for in-person contact. Importantly, physicians allowed "clandestine" visits on an individual basis. Nursing practitioners had a strong empathic attitude toward both patients and their families, and a strong willingness to provide holistic care and pay respect to dead bodies. However, they also experienced moral distress. Witnessing heartbreaking scenes with patients and/or their families causes nursing practitioners to experience intense psychological distress, which affects their family life rather than nursing performance. Ultimately, there was a shift from a patient-centered care model to a population-centered care model. Furthermore, we identified a range of policy- and culture-related factors that exaggerate the negative consequences of dying alone of COVID-19. Conclusion These results reinforce the existing literature on several fronts. However, we identified some nuances related to political decisions and, most importantly, convictions that are deeply rooted in Greek culture. These findings are of great importance in planning tailored interventions to mitigate the problem of interest and have implications for other similar national contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polychronis Voultsos
- Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anna Tsompanian
- Postgraduate Program on Bioethics, Laboratory of Bioethics and Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Maria Deligianni
- Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eftychia Tsamadou
- Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexandra K. Tsaroucha
- Postgraduate Program on Bioethics, Laboratory of Bioethics and Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Fenton A, Stevens S, Cost Z, Bickford J, Kohut M, Jacobs EA, Hutchinson RN. Patients' and caregivers' experiences of hospitalization under COVID-19 visitation restrictions. J Hosp Med 2022; 17:819-826. [PMID: 35920080 PMCID: PMC9538139 DOI: 10.1002/jhm.12924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals did not allow caregiver visitation. Little is known about how caregivers' absence affected patients' care. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe visitation restrictions' impact on patients and their caregivers experiences. DESIGN We used a sequential explanatory mixed-methods study design. First, we randomly selected 200 adult patients with cancer or heart failure hospitalized before (n = 100) and during visitor restrictions (n = 100) and abstracted data from the electronic medical record on communication between medical teams and caregivers and the topics discussed. Results from the quantitative analysis guided our thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted with a subsample of patients hospitalized during visitor restrictions and their caregivers to understand the impact of visitor restrictions on their experiences. RESULTS Compared to prerestrictions, caregivers under visitation restrictions communicated less frequently with the medical team (29% vs. 37% of hospitalized days; p = .04), fewer received discharge counseling (37% vs. 52%; p = .04), and disproportionately more had no contact with the medical team (36% vs. 17%; p < .01). Video conferencing was documented for caregivers of only five patients. Qualitative analysis revealed that both caregivers and patients experienced emotional distress, increased conflict, and decreased perception of quality of care because of visitation restrictions. CONCLUSIONS Hospital visitor restrictions significantly reduced caregivers' communication with patients' medical team, causing caregivers and patients emotional distress. Protocols that facilitate communication between caregivers and care teams may benefit caregivers who cannot be physically present at care facilities, including distance caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anny Fenton
- Division of Population SciencesDana Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Sandra Stevens
- Maine Medical CenterDivision of Palliative MedicinePortlandMaineUSA
| | - Zachary Cost
- Tufts University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jaime Bickford
- Maine Medical CenterDivision of Palliative MedicinePortlandMaineUSA
| | - Michael Kohut
- MaineHealth Center for Interdisciplinary Population Health ResearchPortlandMaineUSA
| | - Elizabeth A. Jacobs
- Tufts University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
- MaineHealth Center for Interdisciplinary Population Health ResearchPortlandMaineUSA
| | - Rebecca N. Hutchinson
- Maine Medical CenterDivision of Palliative MedicinePortlandMaineUSA
- Tufts University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
- MaineHealth Center for Interdisciplinary Population Health ResearchPortlandMaineUSA
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Brekelmans A, Ramnarain D, de Haas M, Ruitinga R, Pouwels S. Evaluation of ICU end-of-life and bereavement care by relatives of deceased ICU patients. Respir Med 2022; 202:106972. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2022.106972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Fiest KM, Krewulak KD, Jaworska N, Spence KL, Mizen SJ, Bagshaw SM, Burns KEA, Cook DJ, Fowler RA, Olafson K, Patten SB, Rewa OG, Rochwerg B, Spence S, West A, Stelfox HT, Parsons Leigh J. Impact of restricted visitation policies during COVID-19 on critically ill adults, their families, critical care clinicians, and decision-makers: a qualitative interview study. Can J Anaesth 2022; 69:1248-1259. [PMID: 35978160 PMCID: PMC9385091 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-022-02301-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, restricted visitation policies were enacted at acute care facilities to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and conserve personal protective equipment. In this study, we aimed to describe the impact of restricted visitation policies on critically ill patients, families, critical care clinicians, and decision-makers; highlight the challenges faced in translating these policies into practice; and delineate strategies to mitigate their effects. METHOD A qualitative description design was used. We conducted semistructured interviews with critically ill adult patients and their family members, critical care clinicians, and decision-makers (i.e., policy makers or enforcers) affected by restricted visitation policies. We transcribed semistructured interviews verbatim and analyzed the transcripts using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS Three patients, eight family members, 30 clinicians (13 physicians, 17 nurses from 23 Canadian intensive care units [ICUs]), and three decision-makers participated in interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify five themes: 1) acceptance of restricted visitation (e.g., accepting with concerns); 2) impact of restricted visitation (e.g., ethical challenges, moral distress, patients dying alone, intensified workload); 3) trust in the healthcare system during the pandemic (e.g., mistrust of clinical team); 4) modes of communication (e.g., communication using virtual platforms); and 5) impact of policy implementation on clinical practice (e.g., frequent changes and inconsistent implementation). CONCLUSIONS Restricted visitation policies across ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected critically ill patients and their families, critical care clinicians, and decision-makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten M Fiest
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Department of Community Health Sciences & O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry & Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Karla D Krewulak
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Natalia Jaworska
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Krista L Spence
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sara J Mizen
- Faculty of Health, School of Health Administration, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Sean M Bagshaw
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Critical Care Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Karen E A Burns
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Unity Health Toronto-St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Deborah J Cook
- Department of Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Robert A Fowler
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Critical Care Medicine and Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kendiss Olafson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Scott B Patten
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Oleksa G Rewa
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Critical Care Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Bram Rochwerg
- Department of Medicine, Division of Critical Care, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sean Spence
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Andrew West
- Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Henry T Stelfox
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences & O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jeanna Parsons Leigh
- Faculty of Health, School of Health Administration, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Iness AN, Abaricia JO, Sawadogo W, Iness CM, Duesberg M, Cyrus J, Prasad V. The Effect of Hospital Visitor Policies on Patients, Their Visitors, and Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. Am J Med 2022; 135:1158-1167.e3. [PMID: 35472383 PMCID: PMC9035621 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2022.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Health care policymaking during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has questioned the precedent of restricting hospital visitors. We aimed to synthesize available data describing the resulting impact on patient, family/visitor, and health care provider well-being. We systematically reviewed articles from the World Health Organization COVID-19 Global Literature on Coronavirus Disease Database published between December 2019 through April 2021. Included studies focused on hospitalized patients and reported 1 or more prespecified main or secondary outcome (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19] disease transmission, global well-being, mortality, morbidity, or health care resource utilization). Two authors independently extracted data into a standardized form with a third author resolving discrepancies. A total of 1153 abstracts were screened, and 26 final full-text articles were included. Ten studies were qualitative, with 7 cohort studies, and no randomized controlled trials. Critically ill patients were the most represented (12 out of 26 studies). Blanket hospital visitor policies were associated with failure to address the unique needs of patients, their visitors, and health care providers in various clinical environments. Overall, a patient-centered, thoughtful, and nuanced approach to hospital visitor policies is likely to benefit all stakeholders while minimizing potential harms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audra N Iness
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex.
| | - Jefferson O Abaricia
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va
| | - Wendemi Sawadogo
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va
| | - Caleb M Iness
- School of Medicine, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, Calif
| | - Max Duesberg
- School of Medicine, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, Calif
| | - John Cyrus
- Health Sciences Library, Research and Education Department, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va
| | - Vinay Prasad
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco
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Torbjörnsson E, Fagerdahl AM, Älgå A. Experiences of Acute Surgical Care During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Among Patients and Their Next of Kin. J Surg Res 2022; 277:163-170. [PMID: 35490605 PMCID: PMC9005363 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Since March 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has affected healthcare systems worldwide. It is largely unknown how acutely ill surgical patients and their next of kin have perceived the hospital care during the ongoing pandemic. Therefore, we aimed to explore their experiences. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed 12 interviews with patients who had undergone acute abdominal surgery in a public acute care hospital in Sweden during March to June 2020. In addition, we interviewed 10 of the patients' next of kin. We analyzed the interviews using content analysis. RESULTS Our analysis resulted in two themes: "Worries about seeking acute care" and "The surgical care worked adequately, even though the system was overloaded." The participants experienced that the hospital maintained its functionality during the ongoing pandemic. Both the patients and their next of kin experienced insufficient information by the hospital, especially during the initial acute phase and at discharge, which led to a perceived loss of control. The implemented ban on visitors was found to have had both positive and negative effects for the patients, whereas the next of kin's experiences focused on the difficulties with not being able to visit. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that the challenges of communication with patients and their next of kin are exacerbated during a crisis such as a pandemic. In addition, a ban on visitors might have both positive and negative aspects. Therefore, we propose individualized routines for visits to acute surgical patients when possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Torbjörnsson
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden,Department of Surgery, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden,Corresponding author. Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Sjukhusbacken 10, 118 83 Stockholm, Sweden. Tel.: +46 733 544 335; fax: + 46 8 616 2460
| | - Ann-Mari Fagerdahl
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden,Wound Centre, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Älgå
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden,Department of Surgery, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
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Dyer AH, Fallon A, Noonan C, Dolphin H, O'Farrelly C, Bourke NM, O'Neill D, Kennelly SP. Managing the Impact of COVID-19 in Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities: An Update. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2022; 23:1590-1602. [PMID: 35922016 PMCID: PMC9250924 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2022.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Older adults in nursing homes are at greatest risk of morbidity and mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nursing home residents constituted one-third to more than half of all deaths during the early waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following this, widespread adaptation of infection prevention and control measures and the supply and use of personal protective equipment resulted in a significant decrease in nursing home infections and deaths. For nursing homes, the most important determinant of experiencing a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in the first instance appears to be community-transmission levels (particularly with variants of concern), although nursing home size and quality, for-profit status, and sociodemographic characteristics are also important. Use of visitation bans, imposed to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on residents, must be delicately balanced against their impact on resident, friend or family, and staff well-being. The successful rollout of primary vaccination has resulted in a sharp decrease in morbidity and mortality from SARS-CoV-2 in nursing homes. However, emerging evidence suggests that vaccine efficacy may wane over time, and the use of a third or additional vaccine "booster" doses in nursing home residents restores protection afforded by primary vaccination. Ongoing monitoring of vaccine efficacy in terms of infection, morbidity, and mortality is crucial in this vulnerable group in informing ongoing SARS-CoV-2 vaccine boosting strategies. Here, we detail the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on nursing home residents and discuss important considerations in the management of nursing home SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. We additionally examine the use of testing strategies, nonpharmacologic outbreak control measures and vaccination strategies in this cohort. Finally, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the sector is reflected on as we emphasize the need for adoption of universal standards of medical care and integration with wider public health infrastructure in nursing homes in order to provide a safe and effective long-term care sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam H Dyer
- Department of Age-Related Healthcare, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Discipline of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Aoife Fallon
- Department of Age-Related Healthcare, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Discipline of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Claire Noonan
- Department of Age-Related Healthcare, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Helena Dolphin
- Department of Age-Related Healthcare, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Cliona O'Farrelly
- Comparative Immunology, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Dublin, Ireland; School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nollaig M Bourke
- Discipline of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Inflammageing Research Group, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Desmond O'Neill
- Department of Age-Related Healthcare, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Discipline of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean P Kennelly
- Department of Age-Related Healthcare, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Discipline of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Eriksson E, Hjelm K. Relatives' perspectives on encounters and communication in nursing homes during the Covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study. BMC Geriatr 2022; 22:706. [PMID: 36008775 PMCID: PMC9409621 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-03364-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Relatives of nursing home (NH) residents have experienced national or local restrictions on visiting their elderly family member during the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, many NHs have a multicultural environment, as staff, residents and their relatives speak different languages. Thus far, studies of remote communication with staff with limited language skills during the Covid-19 pandemic are lacking. Aim The aim of the present study was to explore relatives’ experiences of encounters and communication with staff and residents in NHs during the Covid-19 pandemic. Method An explorative qualitative study using semi-structured telephone interviews with 17 relatives of NH residents (12 women and 5 men). Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify four main categories and nine sub-categories. Results Communicating during visiting restrictions was challenging, and relatives experienced ups and downs when trying to stay in contact with NH residents and staff. Relatives received general information, but desired information about residents’ everyday life without having to ask for it. Moreover, remote communication was difficult for residents with hearing impairment or dementia. Even relatives who understood different languages had to develop strategies to communicate with staff with limited language skills in Swedish and English. Relatives did not mention using translating applications to facilitate communication. Conclusion During visiting restrictions, relatives lacked information about residents’ everyday life and found communication with staff with limited language skills challenging. For this reason, and to enable communication with staff with limited language skills, there is a need to find practical and technical solutions for facilitating remote communication between relatives, residents and staff at NHs. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-03364-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabet Eriksson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 564, 751 22, Uppsala, Sweden. .,Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, 801 76, Gävle, Sweden.
| | - Katarina Hjelm
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 564, 751 22, Uppsala, Sweden
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50
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Felser S, Sewtz C, Kriesen U, Kragl B, Hamann T, Bock F, Strüder DF, Schafmayer C, Dräger DL, Junghanss C. Relatives Experience More Psychological Distress Due to COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Visitation Restrictions Than In-Patients. Front Public Health 2022; 10:862978. [PMID: 35910882 PMCID: PMC9326244 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.862978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic led to visiting restrictions (VRs) of patients in hospitals. Social contacts between patients' relatives play an important role in convalescence. Isolation may cause new psychological comorbidity. The present study investigated the psychological distress of VR in in-patients and their relatives. Methods From April 1, 2020 to May 20, 2020, 313 in-patients (≥14 years) of the University Medical Center Rostock were interviewed by questionnaires and 51 relatives by phone. Subjective psychological distress was assessed by a distress thermometer [0 (not at all)−100 (extreme)]. The study also investigated stressors due to VR, psychological distress in dependence on demographic or disease-related data, currently used communication channels and desired alternatives and support. Results Relatives were more psychologically distressed by VR than in-patients (59 ± 34 vs. 38 ± 30, p = 0.002). Loss of direct physical contact and facial expressions/gestures resulted in the most distress. Psychological distress due to VR was independent of demographics and indicates small positive correlations with the severity of physical restriction and the general psychological distress of in-patients. The most frequent ways of communication were via phone and social media. Frequently requested alternatives for patients were other interlocutors and free phone/tablet use, for relatives visiting rooms with partitions. Conclusion VRs are a stressor for patients and their relatives. The establishment of visiting rooms with partitions and the free use of phones/tablets could reduce the additional distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Felser
- Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Clinic III, University Hospital Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- *Correspondence: Sabine Felser
| | - Corinna Sewtz
- Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Clinic III, University Hospital Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Ursula Kriesen
- Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Clinic III, University Hospital Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Brigitte Kragl
- Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Clinic III, University Hospital Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Till Hamann
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Felix Bock
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Daniel Fabian Strüder
- Head and Neck Surgery “Otto Koerner”, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Clemens Schafmayer
- Department of General Surgery, University Hospital Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Christian Junghanss
- Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Clinic III, University Hospital Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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