Purpose

To describe a guidance on the management of post-acute COVID 19 patients in geriatric rehabilitation.

Methods

The guidance is based on guidelines for post-acute COVID-19 geriatric rehabilitation developed in the Netherlands, updated with recent insights from literature, related guidance from other countries and disciplines, and combined with experiences from experts in countries participating in the Geriatric Rehabilitation Special Interest Group of the European Geriatric Medicine Society.

Results

This guidance for post-acute COVID-19 rehabilitation is divided into a section addressing general recommendations for geriatric rehabilitation and a section addressing specific processes and procedures. The Sect. “General recommendations for geriatric rehabilitation” addresses: (1) general requirements for post-acute COVID-19 rehabilitation and (2) critical aspects for quality assurance during COVID-19 pandemic. The Sect. “Specific processes and procedures”, addresses the following topics: (1) patient selection; (2) admission; (3) treatment; (4) discharge; and (5) follow-up and monitoring.

Conclusion

Providing tailored geriatric rehabilitation treatment to post-acute COVID-19 patients is a challenge for which the guidance is designed to provide support. There is a strong need for additional evidence on COVID-19 geriatric rehabilitation including developing an understanding of risk profiles of older patients living with frailty to develop individualised treatment regimes. The present guidance will be regularly updated based on additional evidence from practice and research.

© 2021. The Author(s).

Overview publication

TitleManagement of post-acute COVID-19 patients in geriatric rehabilitation: EuGMS guidance.
DateFebruary 1st, 2022
Issue nameEuropean geriatric medicine
Issue numberv13.1:291-304
DOI10.1007/s41999-021-00575-4
Authorsvan Haastregt JCM, Everink IHJ, Schols JMGA, Grund S, Gordon AL, Poot EP, Martin FC, O'Neill D, Petrovic M, Bachmann S, van Balen R, van Dam van Isselt L, Dockery F, Holstege MS, Landi F, Pérez LM, Roquer E, Smalbrugge M & Achterberg WP
KeywordsCOVID-19, Geriatric rehabilitation, Guidance, Post-acute care, Quality assurance
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