Evaluation of a New Triage Protocol for Palliative Care for Patients with COVID-19 in Brazil

• Published in: Journal of palliative medicine Vol. 26; no. 2; p. 253
• Main Authors: Loyola Correa, Tulio, Salomão Simão, Áurea Maria, Barros Sobreira, Joyce Veceli, Baeninger Anbar, Fernanda, Yarshell, Flávia, Brandão, Ana Beatriz, Queirós Estuque, Monica, Aparecida Rocha, Juraci, Tavares de Carvalho, Ricardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-02-2023
• Subjects: Brazil; COVID-19; Humans; Palliative Care - methods; Pandemics; Retrospective Studies; Triage - methods; Brazil; COVID-19; quality of health care; terminal care; medical assistance; palliative care; pandemics
• ISSN: 1557-7740
• DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0324

To evaluate the implementation of a triage protocol for palliative care (PC) during the COVID-19 pandemic (PALI-COVID) at a referral center in Brazil.
A retrospective observational study was conducted. Based on the triage protocol, patients were classified into a red group, a yellow group, and a green group (GG). Patients should receive PC as recommended for each group.
A total of 1517 patients were included in the analysis. About 11% (
 = 162) of patients received PC. About 35% (
 = 529) of all patients died. There was a significant difference in the mortality rate between the groups; the GG had the highest mortality rate. Most patients who died (77.1%) did not receive PC.
PALI-COVID was effective in identifying patients who had a higher risk of death and needed end-of-life support. Despite the protocol, few patients received PC.