Feasibility and Safety of Prone Position Transport for Severe Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure Due to Coronavirus Disease 2019

Objectives: To assess the safety and feasibility of a new protocol for interhospital critical care transport of mechanically ventilated patients in the prone position during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic by nurse and paramedic critical care transport teams.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting: Single critical care transport agency serving multiple centers in the greater Boston area.

Patients: All transports of intubated patients in the prone position with severe hypoxemic respiratory failure secondary to coronavirus disease 2019.

Interventions: Records were reviewed for patients transported in the prone position. Major adverse events in transport, defined as severe hypoxemia (oxygen saturation < 80% or an absolute decrease in oxygen saturation > 10%), hypotension (mean arterial pressure < 65 mm Hg) not responsive to vasopressors or inotropes, endotracheal tube or vascular catheter dislodgement, and cardiac arrest, were recorded.

Measurements And Main Results: A total of 25 patients were transported in prone position. The mean Pao:Fio ratio in the group was 101.3 mm Hg, and 76% ( = 19) were on vasopressors. Fourteen patients (56%) had hypotension with at least one episode of mean arterial pressure less than 65 mm Hg en route, and seven (28%) had an episode of oxygen desaturation less than 88%. Only one major adverse event of severe hypoxemia (oxygen saturation < 80%) was noted.

Conclusions: Critical care transport of severe hypoxemic respiratory failure patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in the prone position is safe when performed by a dedicated team of critical care nurse and paramedics with an established protocol.