Nursing care of patients with multiple sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction

At the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, health centres were places where there was a high risk of infection, and during the period of lockdown face-to-face health care was substantially reduced, forcing rapid changes in the care of multiple sclerosis patients by the specialised nursing staff in the units and monographic consultations of this disease.

Development

The experience of the nursing staff of multiple sclerosis units and monographic consultations, in 8 Spanish hospitals, is collected from the beginning of the pandemic and in later stages, and the adaptations that they made to continue caring for patients are specifically described. The scientific literature about how the SARS-CoV-2 has affected patients with multiple sclerosis is also reviewed, as well as the experiences of other multiple sclerosis teams in health centres in other countries.

Conclusions

During the lockdown and in later stages, new forms and previously little used forms of care were applied to multiple sclerosis patients. The nursing staff kept contact with them by telephone and online, provided them with information about safety and behaviour in relation to COVID-19. Face-to-face visits, treatments and distribution of medication were adapted. Information was provided about how patients could receive psychosocial support and about how they could maintain their quality of life.