Changes in Oxygenation and Clinical Outcomes with Awake Prone Positioning in Patients with Suspected COVID-19 In Low-Resource Settings: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction This study aimed to describe the use of awake prone positioning (APP) and conventional oxygen therapy (COT) in patients with suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19) respiratory failure a limited-resource setting. Methods was retrospective cohort hospitalized aged ≥18 years old who were placed an position due hypoxemic COVID-19. The selected from tertiary center Cartagena, Colombia, between March 1, 2020, August 31, 2020. Demographic, clinical, laboratory variables collated, all compared groups. Results median age participants 63 (IQR, 48.8-73) (survivors: 59 [IQR, 43.568] vs. non-survivors: 70 63-78] years, P ≤ .001). Of 1470 admitted for symptoms, 732 (49.8%) more than 24 h, 212 developed required COT APP (overall hospital mortality, 34% [73/212]). mean rank difference PaO 2 /FiO before after higher survivors non-survivors (201.1-252.6, = 51.5, .001 134.1-172.4, 38.28, .24, respectively). Conclusion While using conjunction can improve COVID-19 low-resource settings, persistent hypoxemia identify mortality risk. More evidence is needed establish role this strategy.