Remote monitoring of COVID–19 patients using home pulse oximetry and virtual platform: an observational study
Abstract
Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID–19) is a global health problem with ever-increasing attributed deaths. Patients with COVID–19 may deteriorate rapidly, and their continuous monitoring is necessary. Monitoring and providing care beyond the traditional face-to-face model is a new chapter in the history of medicine. It consists of remote monitoring and management using virtual platform as a critical component in the ever-changing environment of this deadly pandemic. We evaluated the impact of remote monitoring of the patients at their residences after being infected with SARS-COV-2 virtually.
Methodology: This observational study was conducted among patients with symptoms of COVID–19 attending in the Fever Clinic between January and March 2021. The study was set to continue for the duration of the pandemic. Access to pulse oximeter and virtual platform was given to the enrolled patients. The participants were monitored in a remote monitoring platform at home and during the hospital stay. The primary outcome measures included number of recovery i.e. discharged from remote home monitoring and/or hospital and escalation of management such as hospitalization or transfer to the ICU facilities. Duration of hospital stay, patient experience and satisfaction, and barriers to use the virtual platform were included in the secondary outcome measures.
Results: A total of twenty patients (median age 45 y, male to female ratio 65:35) were included. The median duration of monitoring was 10 days (IQR 8-12 days). Out of twenty patients, 3 (15%) patients needed hospitalization and were recognized in time by the team. The duration of hospital stay was 4 days median (IQR 3-6 days). All patients were discharged from this service safely; no death was reported. Ninety percent of the studied population were satisfied and felt reassured by this remote monitoring service.
Conclusion: Early recognition of deterioration and prompt management through remote monitoring model increases the chances of survival of patients, and reduces the morbidity. Such remote monitoring model can be applied for future outbreaks of pandemics.
Key words: COVID–19; Remote monitoring; Pulse oximetry; Emerging technologies; Virtual platform; Likert’s scale; Satisfaction.
Citation: Akhtaruzzaman AKM, Kamal MM, Parveen M, Rabbi M, Dhali R, Islam MS, Bhowmick DK Remote monitoring of COVID–19 patient using home pulse oximetry and virtual platform: an observational study. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2022;26(1):89-95.
Received: December 14, 2021, Reviewed: January 16, 2022, Accepted: January 22, 2022
