Clinical guidance for management of oxygen support for Covid-19 patients

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on 22nd April 2021 has issued clinical guidance for management of Covid-19 patients. Respiratory support for patients admitted in ICU shall be as per following guidelines:

1. Consider use of NIV (Helmet or face mask interface depending on availability) in patients with increasing
   oxygen requirement, if work of breathing is LOW.
2. Consider use of HFNC in patients with increasing oxygen requirement.
3. Intubation should be prioritized in patients with high work of breathing /if NIV is not tolerated.
4. Use conventional ARDS net protocol for ventilatory management.

Respiratory support for patients admitted in wards shall be as per following guidelines:

1. Preferred devices for oxygenation: non-rebreathing face mask.
2. Awake proning encouraged in all patients requiring supplemental oxygen therapy (sequential position changes every 2 hours).