THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON PALLIATIVE CARE IN INPATIENT HOSPICES IN SLOVAKIA

Backround/(Aim): Palliative care is an important component of health care in pandemics. Global pandemics, which includes COVID-19, are leading to a sharp increase demand for health services, including palliative care. To examine preparedness for, and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on hospices in Slovakia and to inform other countries of the Slovakian response. Methods/(Design, Setting): Telephone survey of hospices in Slovakia based on a semi-structured questionnaire. The research sample consisted of 11 inpatient hospices in the Slovak Republic, of which 10 of them participated in the research. Results: All hospices immediately implemented changes to existing procedures, developed their own written guidelines and policies for working in times of emergency declared on the basis of a rapidly spreading virus. The biggest problems were the lack of staff guidelines on crisis management and how hospices should work in times of emergency and the lack of personal protective equipment. The results indicate the necessity for the cooperation of the entire interdisciplinary team of hospice staff, with social workers and psychologists proving to be an important part of the interdisciplinary team. Conclusion: Hospices offer comprehensive care to patients in the terminal stages of various diseases and they are capable of responding flexibly and rapidly to COVID-19 pandemic. It is important that the government and the entire health sector of the Slovak Republic recognize the need of palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic and seek to ensure the protection and full integration of hospices in the care of end-stage patients during a global pandemic.

Automated summary

Palliative care is an important aspect of healthcare during pandemics, and this study examines the preparedness and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospices in Slovakia. The results show that hospices in Slovakia were able to adapt quickly and effectively to the challenges posed by the pandemic.