Prone Positioning As an Emerging Tool in the Care Provided to Patients Infected with COVID-19: a Scoping Review

Overview

Journal Rev Lat Am Enfermagem

Specialty Nursing

Date 2021 Jan 13

PMID 33439949

Citations 9

Authors

Marilia Souto de Araujo

Marina Marisa Palhano Dos Santos

Carlos Jordao de Assis Silva

Rejane Maria Paiva de Menezes

Alexsandra Rodrigues Feijao

Soraya Maria de Medeiros

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: to describe scientific evidence regarding the use of prone positioning in the care provided to patients with acute respiratory failure caused by COVID-19.

Method: this is a scoping review. PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews was used to support the writing of this study. The search was conducted in seven databases and resulted in 2,441 studies, 12 of which compose the sample. Descriptive statistics, such as relative and absolute frequencies, was used to analyze data.

Results: prone positioning was mainly adopted in Intensive Care Units, lasted from a minimum of 12 up to 16 hours, and its prescription was based on specific criteria, such as PaO2/FiO2 ratio, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate. The most prevalent complications were: accidental extubation, pressure ulcer, and facial edema. Decreased hypoxemia and mortality rates were the main outcomes reported.

Conclusion: positive outcomes outweighed complications. Various cycles of prone positioning are needed, which may cause potential work overload for the health staff. Therefore, an appropriate number of trained workers is necessary, in addition to specific institutional protocols to ensure patient safety in this context.

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