Home Management of COVID-19 Patients: A Successful Model in Non-severe COVID-19 Patients in the Developing World

Abstract

BackgroundAround 80-85% of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases were reported to have mild disease and home treatment of such patients was proved to be effective without significant morbidity or mortality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the outcome of home management of non-severe COVID-19 infection in healthcare providers in the developing world. MethodsThis observational cohort study was conducted at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases from June 2020 till January 2021. It included health care workers who tested positive for COVID-19 with nonsevere infection and received home treatment. The COVID-19 management team monitored their symptoms and oxygen saturation over the phone. Need-based lab tests, X-rays, home proning, steroids, and oxygen were administered along with the standard intuitional management strategies. Study outcomes included duration of recovery, need for hospitalization, and expiry. ResultsA total of 128 patients were included, out of which 98 (76.6%) were male, and the mean age was 32.9 ± 5.9 years. Fever was the most common symptom, seen in 89.8% of patients. Most of the patients (85.9%) had no pre-existing comorbidities. Five patients received home oxygen therapy, seven received steroid therapy, and one received home pruning. The average time of recovery was 13.8 ± 8.1 days with no mortality; however, 14 (10.9%) patients were hospitalized due to worsening of symptoms. ConclusionHome treatment for COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate disease after appropriate risk assessment can be a safe and effective option to preserve hospital capacities for more needy and severely ill patients.

Experiencias de las enfermeras en primera línea contagiadas con COVID-19 que recibieron atención domiciliaria

“…Por su parte Maguiña, Gastelo & Tequen (2020), explica que el abordaje terapéutico es básicamente sintomático y de sostén, no hay droga antiviral efectiva, ni cura alguna. Asimismo, el uso de oxímetros fue una herramienta para detectar la dificultad respiratoria (Alishan, et al, 2022). También, Mogollon-Torres, Rodríguez-Cruz, Zevallos-Cotrina & Diaz-Manchay (2021), refieren que los pacientes con COVID-19 leve pueden tratarse mediante asesoramiento remoto, indicando el tratamiento sintomático y el autoaislamiento mediante el telemonitoreo.…”

“…Al respecto, el tratamiento domiciliario en pacientes con COVID-19 después de una evaluación de riesgo puede ser una opción segura y efectiva que favorece preservar las capacidades hospitalarias para pacientes más necesitados y gravemente enfermos. Involucra que los pacientes se mantengan en aislamiento domiciliario por 14 días, reciban indicaciones, tratamiento y seguimiento del personal de salud a través del telemonitoreo, teleconsulta o por vía telefónica (Alishan, et al, 2022;Seguro social de salud, 2020;Martínez-Riera, & Gras-Nieto, 2021).…”

Practices, awareness, and perception towards home-based COVID-19 management among the general population in Mangalore city in south India

“…The study reported that by close monitoring, particularly of oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter, the hospitalization rate among the home isolated patients was minimal, and there was no incident of any mortality. 9 …”

Factors associated with the worsening of COVID-19 symptoms among cohorts in community- or home-isolation care in southern Thailand

“…Despite numerous support measures, including daily surveillance and remote follow-up by medical teams using the latest technology, patients with HI and CI (10 days) require hospitalization owing to worsening symptoms (16)(17)(18)(19). Previous studies have focused on various factors, particularly underlying diseases, and patient characteristics, for their potential associations with COVID-19 severity and mortality (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27).…”