Preparing a young palliative care unit for the COVID-19 pandemic in a teaching hospital in Ghana

Palliat Support Care. 2020 Aug;18(4):400-402. doi: 10.1017/S1478951520000498.

Abstract

The emergence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated an interim restructuring of the healthcare system in accordance with public health preventive measures to mitigate spread of the virus while providing essential healthcare services to the public. This article discusses how the Palliative Care Team of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana has modified its services in accordance with public health guidelines. It also suggests a strategy to deal with palliative care needs of critically ill patients with COVID-19 and their families.

Keywords: COVID-19; Grief; Palliative Care; Psychosocial support.

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / therapy*
  • Ghana
  • Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing / standards*
  • Hospitals, Teaching / standards*
  • Humans
  • Palliative Care / standards*
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / therapy*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • SARS-CoV-2