Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals
Open Access

Abstract

A Questionnaire-Based Survey to Assess the Timing of Intubation in Covid-19 Pneumonia

Samir Samal, Shakti Bedanta Mishra, E Shantanu Kumar Patra, Rajesh Kasimahanti

Background: Many COVID19 pneumonia patients progress to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and end up in Intensive Care Units. The progress of the disease, its management and associated outcomes are yet to be studied in detail. This survey aimed to assess the opinion regarding management of COVID 19 ARDS and the timing of intubation in those patients.

Methods: 292 clinicians including anesthesiologists, intensivists and others involved in managing COVID 19 ARDS patients at various centers were surveyed with web-based questionnaire cross sectionally within time period of 10th June 2020 to 31st August 2020 after taking prior consent.

Results: Among included participants, 172 intensivists, 84 anesthesiologists and rest were others. 67.1% of participants were agreed with patient induced self-inflicted injury could have happened in this disease. Around 91.8% of doctors involved in managing patients were believed that High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) could be helpful if there were falling of saturation. 37% of participants were not agreed with early intubation, which may increase the risk of mortality and nosocomial infections.

Conclusions: There was confusion in most doctors with intubation timing even if there was an indication for intubation. These confusions may be due to non-availability of specific recommendation regarding intubation in COVID 19 severe ARDS patients.

Published Date: 2020-08-23; Received Date: 2020-08-02