[An ethical Response in the Care of Nursing Homes in the COVID-19 Pandemic]

Cuad Bioet. 2020 May-Aug;31(102):223-229. doi: 10.30444/CB.63.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of a possible lack of care for the elderly in nursing homes became evident. We summarize the experience of a multidisciplinary team with volunteer professionals from different specialties who carried out support for healthcare professionals in nursing homes. This team was implemented from both Primary and Specialty Care managements. Its work paradigm was proposed by our home hospitalization team, which included direct care of the most complex patients and general counselling on isolation, hygiene and preventive measures within the nursing homes. Thanks to this support, the elderly population placed there, with suspected or diagnosed COVID-19, received adequate care from an interdisciplinary team, which led part of the pressure to be released from their professional workers, and many family members were aware that there was no neglect of the elderly. Commitment from various levels of care in a coordinated effort has prevented a vulnerable population from being left unattended during the pandemic.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Continuity of Patient Care
  • Coronavirus Infections* / prevention & control
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Humans
  • Hygiene
  • Infection Control
  • Interdisciplinary Communication
  • Nursing Homes / ethics*
  • Palliative Care / ethics
  • Pandemics* / ethics
  • Pandemics* / prevention & control
  • Patient Care Team
  • Patient Isolation
  • Patient Transfer / ethics
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / prevention & control
  • Professional-Family Relations
  • Quality of Life
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Symptom Assessment
  • Vulnerable Populations