Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Tata Memorial Center and HBNI, Mumbai, India.
Department of Palliative Medicine, Tata Memorial Center and HBNI, Mumbai, India.
Head Neck. 2020 Jun;42(6):1144-1146. doi: 10.1002/hed.26211. Epub 2020 Apr 27.
Health care services are being confronted by a daily dilemma of who can receive critical care and who cannot. In a palliative care clinic, this apprehension gets exemplified, as these patients have limited life expectancy. The head and neck region further makes things critical, as it comprises of all the sites through which the SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted. This document strives to define the ways in which the head and neck cancer services can contribute to better patient care in a triage context. Practical steps suggested are protective equipment use, ensuring access to critical drugs (such as opioids), greater use of telemedicine consultations, discussing advance care plans, and embracing the role of a wider community support.
医疗保健服务正面临着一个每日都要面对的困境,即谁能接受重症护理,谁不能。在姑息治疗诊所中,这种担忧得到了体现,因为这些患者的预期寿命有限。头颈部情况更为危急,因为它包含了 SARS-CoV-2 可以传播的所有部位。本文旨在定义头颈部癌症服务在分诊环境中如何为更好的患者护理做出贡献。建议的实际步骤包括使用防护设备、确保获得关键药物(如阿片类药物)、更多地使用远程医疗咨询、讨论预先护理计划以及接受更广泛的社区支持。