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

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