[Place of the respiratory physiotherapist in the Covid-19 crisis: Neuchâtel experience].

Dugernier, Jonathan; Correvon, Nils; Gérard Mattsson, Stéphanie; Pons, Matthieu; Mathys, Christophe; Bianco, Noémie; Geiser, Aurélie; Grand-Guillaume-Perrenoud, Lucie; Gyger, Damien; Russo, Tiziana; Sahli, Lucie; Senoner, Elodie; Thomas, Aurélien; Jobin, Guillaume; Décosterd, Dumeng; Van Den Broecke, Sandra; Fellrath, Jean-Marc

The physiotherapy service became an important player in the care of patients with COVID-19 at Pourtalès hospital (Neuchâtel, Switzerland), illustrating its important role in the organization of acute care units. The workforce was increased, and the diaries extended (7/7d, 24/24h). Respiratory physiotherapists were largely involved in the initiation and the adaptation of the respiratory therapy in the units dedicated to Covid-19 patients (emergency, intensive care and pulmonology units), such as oxygen therapy and both invasive and non-invasive ventilation. Rehabilitation was also early initiated in order to limit the risk of intensive care unit-acquired polyneuromyopathy and to prevent physical deconditioning.