The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, particularly in maintaining effective communication between patients and clinicians. Recognizing this critical need, the Serious Illness Care Program at Ariadne Labs swiftly developed a comprehensive COVID-19 Response Toolkit. This toolkit is designed to facilitate crucial conversations about patient priorities and care preferences during this challenging time, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of care and life for both patients and their caregivers.
This initiative, a vital Cares Program Covid response, addresses the heightened difficulties in communication caused by the pandemic, especially for individuals at high risk of severe illness. The toolkit offers resources not only for patients and their support networks but also for health systems and clinicians navigating these complex communication landscapes in both community and hospital settings. The rapid development process behind this toolkit is detailed in a publication in The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, offering insights into its evidence-based approach. Further exploration of effective patient-provider communication strategies during the pandemic can be found on the Health Affairs Blog.
The COVID-19 Response Toolkit is structured to provide targeted support across various healthcare environments. Below is a breakdown of the resources available, categorized for ease of access and application.
Patient-Focused Resources
Being Prepared in the Time of COVID-19: A Patient Guide
Developed in partnership between Ariadne Labs and The Conversation Project, and generously supported by the Cambia Health Foundation, the “Being Prepared in the Time of COVID-19” guide serves as a cornerstone of this cares program covid initiative. This patient-centric resource empowers individuals to proactively plan and prepare for the pandemic’s impact on their health and care.
An accessible online version of this guide, created in collaboration with Cake, simplifies the process further. Patients can complete the guide online and generate a PDF of their responses, facilitating easy sharing with family and healthcare providers.
COVID-19 Patient Guide Infographic
Inpatient Communication Guides
COVID-19 Conversation Guide for Inpatient Care Settings
For clinicians working within hospitals, the “COVID-19 Conversation Guide for Inpatient Care” offers essential support. This guide is specifically designed to aid conversations with hospitalized patients, whether with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, focusing on understanding and respecting their care priorities within the inpatient environment. The guide facilitates patient-centered care even in the high-pressure context of inpatient settings.
Outpatient Communication Tools
COVID-19 Conversation Guide for Outpatient Care
Extending the reach of this cares program covid, the “COVID-19 Conversation Guide for Outpatient Care” equips clinicians to engage in sensitive and proactive conversations with high-risk patients in outpatient settings. The focus is on empowering patients to protect themselves effectively and to articulate what matters most to them within the context of the ongoing pandemic. This tool is crucial for preventative care and patient empowerment outside of hospital environments.
Telehealth Communication Tips for Virtual Care
The rapid shift to telehealth during the pandemic introduced new communication challenges. The “Telehealth Communication Tips” resource addresses these directly, providing practical advice for clinicians to conduct serious illness conversations effectively in virtual settings. These tips help bridge the gap created by remote consultations, ensuring quality communication regardless of the medium.
Recommendation Aid for Informed Decisions
To further support outpatient conversations, the “Recommendation Aid” provides a structured framework for clinicians. This tool assists in formulating holistic and personalized recommendations after engaging with patients who have underlying health conditions that increase their risk from COVID-19. It ensures that recommendations are aligned with patient values and circumstances.
Care Planning Resources for Comprehensive Support
Recognizing that patient care extends beyond medical conversations, the “Care Planning Resources” guide connects clinicians with essential support services. This customizable resource guide helps link patients to necessary community and social services, addressing the broader needs that impact health and well-being during the pandemic.
COVID-19 Patient Outreach Letter Template
Proactive communication is key to preparedness. The “COVID-19 Letter to Patients” serves as an outreach template for healthcare providers to encourage community members to consider their care preferences in advance of potential serious illness from COVID-19. This proactive approach fosters patient agency and informed decision-making within the cares program covid framework.
Long-Term Care Communication Support
COVID-19 Conversation Guide for Long-Term Care Facilities
Vulnerable populations in long-term care facilities require specialized communication strategies. The “COVID-19 Conversation Guide for Long-Term Care” directly addresses this need. It assists healthcare professionals in conducting values-based conversations with residents of long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, or their caregivers, ensuring the highest quality of care tailored to this specific setting. This resource is particularly vital in protecting and respecting the wishes of elderly and vulnerable individuals during the pandemic.
Multilingual Resources for Diverse Communities
Translations in Multiple Languages
To ensure accessibility and inclusivity, key resources from this cares program covid are available in multiple languages. The COVID-19 Conversation Guides for Outpatient and Inpatient Care, along with the Patient Letter, have been translated into French (CA), Spanish, Portuguese (BR), Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian-Creole, and Vietnamese. These translations demonstrate a commitment to reaching diverse communities and ensuring equitable access to vital communication tools.
Crisis Communication Guidance
COVID-19 Conversation Guide for Crisis Standards of Care
In the unfortunate event of healthcare resource scarcity, the “COVID-19 Conversation Guide for Crisis Standards” offers critical support. This tool provides language and frameworks for clinicians to communicate with patients during crisis standards of care situations, when demand for critical care exceeds available resources. While designed with the hope of never needing widespread use, this guide prepares healthcare professionals to navigate exceptionally challenging ethical communication scenarios.
Webinar Resources for Program Overview
Overview of the Serious Illness Care Program’s COVID-19 Response Toolkit Webinar
For a comprehensive introduction to the cares program covid toolkit, the “Overview of the Serious Illness Care Program’s COVID-19 Response Toolkit” webinar provides valuable insights. The webinar recording and accompanying slides offer a detailed walkthrough of the toolkit’s resources and their application in practice. This webinar serves as an excellent onboarding tool for healthcare professionals seeking to implement these communication strategies.
Adaptation of these guides to local contexts is encouraged, ensuring their relevance and effectiveness across diverse settings. Editable versions of the toolkit resources are available upon request at [email protected], fostering widespread adoption and customization of this crucial cares program covid initiative.
