The Ministry of Health and Family welfare on 22nd April 2021 has advised ‘proning for self-care for coronavirus patients, stating that it is extremely beneficial for such patients with compromised breathing comfort, especially during home isolation.
PRONING is the process of turning a patient with precise, safe motions, from their back onto their abdomen (stomach), so the individual is lying face down and it is a medically accepted position to improve breathing comfort and oxygenation.
The proning position improves ventilation, keeps alveolar units open and breathing easy and it is required only when the patient feels difficulty in breathing and the SpO2 decreases below 94.
The ministry, however, cautioned to avoid proning for an hour after meals and maintaining it for only as much times as easily tolerable.
