Novel Use of Home Pulse Oximetry Monitoring in COVID-19 Patients Discharged From the Emergency Department Identifies Need for Hospitalization.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Our objective was to evaluate patient-reported oxygen saturation (SpO₂ ) using pulse oximetry as a home monitoring tool for patients with initially nonsevere COVID-19 to identify need for hospitalization.

Methods

Patients were enrolled at the emergency department (ED) and outpatient testing centers. Each patient was given a home pulse oximeter and instructed to record their SpO₂ every 8 hours. Patients were instructed to return to the ED for sustained home SpO₂  < 92% or if they felt they needed emergent medical attention. Relative risk was used to assess the relation between hospitalization and home SpO₂  < 92% in COVID-19-positive patients.

Results

We enrolled 209 patients with suspected COVID-19, of whom 77 pat

SUBMITTER: Shah S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7323027 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature