Effectiveness of prone position in spontaneously breathing patients with COVID-19: A prospective cohort study
Brigitta Fazzini, Alexander J. Fowler, Parjam Zolfaghari
Abstract
We present a single centre study describing the effect of awake prone position (PP) on oxygenation and clinical outcomes in spontaneously breathing patients with novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Between 1st March and 30th April 2020, forty eight of 138 patients managed outside of the critical care unit with facemask oxygen, high flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), underwent PP. Prone position was associated with significant improvement in oxygenation, lower ICU admission, tracheal intubation, and shorter ICU length of stay. Lack of response to PP may be an indicator of treatment failure, requiring early escalation.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineProne positionCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)IntubationContinuous positive airway pressureIntensive care unitOxygenationAnesthesiaBreathingEndotracheal intubationAirwayProspective cohort studySevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)CohortIntensive care medicineSurgeryDiseaseInternal medicineObstructive sleep apneaInfectious disease (medical specialty)Respiratory Support and MechanismsAirway Management and Intubation TechniquesIntensive Care Unit Cognitive Disorders