They are putting patients “prone” and their oxygen levels get better and they can sometimes avoid the ventilator. Sometimes they are on a less invasive device like a CPAP machine. The patients can prone themselves - basically a nurse knocks on your door and tells you to roll over every couple hours.
They are also putting patients prone who are on the ventilator. It’s a lot more work and takes 6-8 people to do it safely.
Some people are guessing this improves the blood flow to different areas of the lung - basically moving the blood going through the lung to areas that are actually getting air.
I read somewhere that lying patients on their stomach works and ventilators don't. How true is this?
Very true.
Does prone positioning improve oxygenation and reduce mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome?
It is true.
They are putting patients “prone” and their oxygen levels get better and they can sometimes avoid the ventilator. Sometimes they are on a less invasive device like a CPAP machine. The patients can prone themselves - basically a nurse knocks on your door and tells you to roll over every couple hours.
They are also putting patients prone who are on the ventilator. It’s a lot more work and takes 6-8 people to do it safely.
Some people are guessing this improves the blood flow to different areas of the lung - basically moving the blood going through the lung to areas that are actually getting air.