Indian journal of palliative care
-
Indian J Palliat Care · Jun 2020
Palliative Care Delivery in Cancer Patients in the Era of Covid-19 Outbreak: Unique Needs, Barriers, and Tools for Solutions.
World is facing a pandemic recently due to the outbreak of COVID-19 infection. Cancer has been identified as one of the major comorbidities which cause more severe disease due to COVID-19 infection. Moreover, there are several resource limitations and restrictions to avail the standard oncological health facilities due to robust measures taken for infection control. ⋯ Triaging systems are essential tools for proper resource allocation during a pandemic. Therefore, we suggest triaging tools for emergency in hospital palliative care services: community-based palliative care and end of life care for cancer patients. Incorporation of newer technologies and identifying the potential resources are the other key components of the preparedness strategy.
-
Indian J Palliat Care · Jun 2020
To Study the Barriers in Palliative Care to Nonmalignant Cases in COVID-19 Crisis in a Tertiary Health-Care Center.
COVID-19, the new pandemic faced by the world, is a novel betacoronavirus causing severe respiratory coronavirus syndrome. Elderly patients, people with underlying chronic illnesses, cancer patients, and those who are immunocompromised are at higher risk and account for higher mortality rate. Unfortunately, there is no approved medication for treatment, till date, thereby supporting triage management and difficult decision-making. Thus, there should be a substantial increase in the palliative care in times of pandemic. There should be an increase in the availability of palliative care services in different care settings. Due to a surge in the number of cases of COVID-19, it has been reported on how palliative care is being delayed, discontinued, or deprioritized. ⋯ Palliative care should be an essential part of any health-care service in any humanitarian crisis, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, effort should be made to remove the barriers and provide palliative care to the patient.
-
Indian J Palliat Care · Jun 2020
Patients'/Caregivers' Perspectives on Telemedicine Service for Advanced Cancer Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Survey.
Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) has usurped human peace and mobility. The confinement of the population and the rising epidemic has disrupted the routine care for non-COVID-19 patients. Telehealth is a growing field, and its application in palliative care is seen as a solution to serve the population in this difficult crisis. ⋯ Telemedicine is an important tool and an essential service to care for palliative care patients in the community especially when the patient and health-care professionals are separated by a pandemic or natural disaster.
-
Indian J Palliat Care · Jan 2020
Case ReportsLumbar Erector Spine Plane Block for Pain Management in Postherpetic Neuralgia in a Patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) refers to the chronic neuropathic pain that persists beyond the initial varicella-zoster rash. Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are susceptible to infections because of decreased immunity. Various treatment strategies including pharmacological, nonpharmacological, and interventional techniques have been described in the literature. We report the successful management of PHN with lumbar erector spinae plane block in a patient of CLL.
-
Indian J Palliat Care · Oct 2019
The City of Hope Quality of Life Stoma Questionnaire: Malayalam Translation and Validation.
Malayalam is the language spoken by 38.5 million people worldwide. There is no specific instrument to measure stoma-related quality of life (QOL) in Malayalam language. ⋯ The validation study of Malayalam translation of City of Hope Stoma questionnaire has shown the tool is valid and reliable.