Prone positioning in awake and asleep patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Prone positioning has been found to be beneficial in both awake (self-proning) and mechanically ventilated population with acute respiratory distress syndrome due to severe COVID-19. Since the process has the potential to avoid possible intubation in a certain group of patients, prone positioning should be considered early on during COVID-19 treatment. With stepwise and careful approach involving a dedicated team of clinicians and with the help of adequate monitoring, benefits of the process can be achieved. It can contribute to offloading of resources and manpower burden in the pandemic if applied timely in the recommended group of patients.

Keywords

• covid-19
• prone positioning
• prone ventilation
• sars-cov
• self-proning