The use of prone positioning in severe COVID-19 outside the intensive care unit.

Yildiz, M; Ozturk Ergur, F; Uzel Senel, M; Kavurgaci, S; Sciences, A Ozturk Health; Chest, Ankara Ataturk

OBJECTIVES It was aimed to demonstrate the applicability of the prone position with high-flow oxygen to COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory failure in the service in September when the number of cases and the need for intensive care were increased. MATERIAL AND METHODS The prone position was applied for a minimum of 30-minute periods for at least four hours a day. The patients' oxygen saturation levels and respiration rates were monitored before and 30 minutes after prone positioning. RESULTS Ten patients, nine males (9/1, M/F), were included in the study. Mean oxygen saturation at baseline was 75.8±12.14 (min: 50 %; max: 90 %) and all patients had high oxygen demand. The oxygen saturation of the patients differed significantly before and after (83.4±6.38 %; 90±5.31 %, p <0.001) prone positioning. Similarly, respiration rates differed significantly before and after (23.9±6; 21.4±4.97, p <0.001) prone positioning. Two patients died during treatment. CONCLUSION This study highlights the promise of prone positioning performed in ward conditions for improving oxygenation in COVID-19. While the study contains a small group, it may provide guidance for the clinical management of COVID-19 patients to prevent the need for intensive care in the challenging course of therapy (Tab. 2, Fig. 2, Ref. 15).