Virtual Interinstitutional Palliative Care Consultation during the COVID-19 Pandemic in New York City.

Abstract

<b><i>Context:</i></b> Amid the COVID-19 surge in New York City, the need for palliative care was highlighted. Virtual consultation was introduced to expand specialist-level care to meet demand. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> To examine the outcomes of COVID-19 patients who received virtual palliative care consultation from outside institutions. <b><i>Design:</i></b> This is a retrospective case series. <b><i>Setting/Subjects:</i></b> Subjects were 34 patients who received virtual palliative care consultation between April 13, 2020, and June 14, 2020. <b><i>Measurements:</i></b> Follow-up frequency and duration, code status change, withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment (LST), and multidisciplinary involvement. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Twenty-eight patients (82.3%) were in the intensive care unit and 29 patients (85.3%) were on at least two LSTs. Fifteen patients (44.1%) died in the hospital, 9 patients (26.4%) were discharged alive, and 10 patients (29.4%) were signed off. The median frequency of visits was 4.5 (IQR 6) over 11 days follow-up (IQR 17). Code status change was more frequent in deceased patients. LSTs were withdrawn in eight patients (23.5%). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Virtual palliative care consultation was feasible during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.