On TWiV 595 they did an interview with a doctor who said he’d been able to get the survival rate of intubated patients up to 50% by using proning, though I don’t recall them going into the details.
Supine positioning is the easiest position for intubation but once the endotracheal tube is in-situ it makes physiological sense to turn the patient over if possible. Assuming the tube is secured in place—which it should be.
Main issues with a prone intubated patient are medical staff accessing/assessing/maintaining the tube—requiring suitable facilities or having to kneel on the floor!
On TWiV 595 they did an interview with a doctor who said he’d been able to get the survival rate of intubated patients up to 50% by using proning, though I don’t recall them going into the details.
Supine positioning is the easiest position for intubation but once the endotracheal tube is in-situ it makes physiological sense to turn the patient over if possible. Assuming the tube is secured in place—which it should be.
Main issues with a prone intubated patient are medical staff accessing/assessing/maintaining the tube—requiring suitable facilities or having to kneel on the floor!
Supine and immobile for days—not good.