Quality End-of-life for Inpatient Dying from COVID-19 in 2020: Opinions of Healthcare Providers
Abstract:
Context: Quality End of life during COVID 19 was challenge for health services. Objectives: analyse quality end of life for inpatients dying from COVID-19 in 2020 in the first two waves. (1th MarchMay 31, and 1th September- 31th), compare both waves and compare opinions of the healthcare providers.
Methods: online questionnaire based on Rights of the Dying Charter was subjected to healthcare providers. Results: Seventy-two nurses and 19 physician answered for the first wave. Sixty-six 68 nurses and 16 physicians answered for the second wave. The opinions improved in the second wave about information patient condition (from 41.3% to 63.1% in the second, p=0.0039) and answers for patient questions (from 44.6% to 59.2%; p=0.05); in the second wave decresed the opinion concerning the proximity of loved ones patient (reduction from 95.7 to 84.5; p=0.012). Opinions between healthcare provider there are agreement (Cohen's kappa > 0.8) for proximity of loved ones, patient loneliness, environment, religious and psychological comfort, treatments and relief from physical symptoms.
Conclusions: the study based on the opinions of healthcare provider show a better end-of life quality in the second wave specially about the information and communication to patient. Treatment of physical symptoms was always a priority, This shows awareness of having implemented the most appropriate and available therapies to each patient. Psychological and spiritual needs were less primary issues.
Keymessage: This article describes the opinion healthcare providers about quality end-of-life their impatient dying from COVID-19 during first and second waves in 2020. The results indicate that in second wave was improve quality, treatment of physical symptoms was always the higher priority, instead psychological and spiritual needs were less primary issues.
