Prolonged Prone Positioning for COVID-19-induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Prolonged Prone Positioning for COVID-19-induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): A Pilot Study

Prone positioning is one of the few therapies known to improve mortality in ARDS. Traditionally, patients are proned for 16 hours per 24 hour period. Some retrospective data suggests improvement may persist beyond 16 hours. We aim to perform a pilot study comparing traditional prone positioning to prolonged prone positioning in patients with COVID-induced ARDS.

Inclusion Criteria:

Positive COVID test Endotracheal Intubation P:F <150 within 1hours of inclusion on at least 60% FiO2, 10cmH20 PEEP Treating physician plans to implement prone positioning imminently Housed in the UAB MICU.

Exclusion Criteria:

Pre-existing treatment limitation (e.g. DNR order) Prisoner Pregnant Female Children (<18 years old) Respiratory Failure felt to be caused primarily by something other than COVID-19 Mechanical ventilation for >48 hours prior to initiation of prone positioning Contraindication to proning Physician discretion