The first Australian experience with ward-based continuous positive airway pressure for COVID-19 respiratory failure: a retrospective cohort study

Intern Med J. 2022 Nov;52(11):1986-1990. doi: 10.1111/imj.15911. Epub 2022 Nov 3.

Abstract

We present the first Australian cohort of patients with COVID-19 respiratory failure managed with escalating respiratory support including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on a standard medical ward at a tertiary Sydney hospital during the 2021 COVID-19 Delta variant outbreak. We demonstrate an equivalent mortality to CPAP delivered in intensive care unit and outline our ward structure and management during the pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; CPAP; respiratory failure.

MeSH terms

  • Australia / epidemiology
  • COVID-19*
  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
  • Humans
  • Respiratory Insufficiency* / therapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Tertiary Care Centers

Supplementary concepts

  • SARS-CoV-2 variants