BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF AWAKE PRONE POSITIONING IN COVID-19 PATIENTS WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE HYPOXEMIC RESPIRATORY FAILURE

Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a leading cause of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure which can progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). These patients are deeply sedated, paralyzed and ventilated and prone positioning is known to help in these cases. Prone positioning has been known to help in ARDS cases, but they are ventilated deeply sedated and paralyzed. The aim of the current study was to assess the safety and potential benefits of awake prone positioning in COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe hypoxemic respiratory failure. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study, performed at Bahira International Hospital Lahore. Record of confirmed COVID-19 patients with hypoxic respiratory failure was reviewed thoroughly to collect data. The duration, timing, frequency, tolerability, beneficial effects and adverse events during prone positioning were recorded from the medical records before and after self-prone positioning. Results: The current analysis showed that prone positioning is supportive to maintain good saturation (92%) as compared to keeping patients in spine position (82%). Conclusion: It can be concluded from the current study that prone position is helpful to maintain normal oxygen saturation even on low oxygen supply, helping in quick recovery and preventing oxygen induced damage to the lungs.