key: cord-0695701-yx9py5hi
authors: Pettus, Katherine; de Lima, Liliana
title: Update to the Fast Tracked article entitled “Palliative Care Utilization Among Patients With COVID-19 in an Underserved Population: A Single-Center Retrospective Study,” by Haydar et al.
date: 2020-08-13
journal: J Pain Symptom Manage
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.07.017
sha: a474ace95f9d409886182187f1e1b3dc8997cfc1
doc_id: 695701
cord_uid: yx9py5hi

nan

July 20, 2020 To the Editor We would like to correct a misrepresentation in the Fast Tracked article entitled Palliative Care Utilization Among Patients With COVID-19 in an Underserved Population: A Single-Center Retrospective Study, by Haydar et al.

The sentence "In fact, the World Health Organization has issued guidance on how to maintain essential health services during the pandemic, but there was no mention of palliative care," which cites a Lancet article, should be updated. On May 27, 2020, the World Health Organization published their Interim Guidance, Clinical Management of COVID-19, which includes an excellent palliative care section, as well as an Appendix presenting the Essential Package of Palliative Care Therapies. The updated Operational Planning Guidelines to Support Country Preparedness and Response recommended that member states "Ensure comprehensive medical, nutritional, psycho-social, and palliative care for those with COVID-19."

Moreover, the World Health Assembly Resolution 73/1, COVID-19 Response adopted on May 18, directed member states to "Provide access to safe testing, treatment, and palliative care for COVID-19, paying particular attention to the protection of those with pre-existing health conditions, older persons, and other people at risk, in particular health professionals, health workers and other relevant frontline workers;" OP7.7.

The International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care, a Non-State Actor (NSA) in official relations with the WHO, works closely with the WHO Secretariat staff and with representatives of member states upon request to ensure appropriate inclusion of palliative care in high level documents, reports and resolutions.

We would be grateful if you would update this misrepresentation, which is due to proximate publishing dates of the articles and documents concerned.

Palliative Care Utilization among Patients with COVID-19 in an Underserved Population: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Clinical management of COVID-19: interim guidance

Operational Planning Guidelines to Support Country Preparedness and Response

COVID-19 response