Coronavirus: how physiotherapists are helping patients recover
Physiotherapists can help improve a patient’s breathing. theskaman306/ Shutterstock
Most people who contract coronavirvus (COVID-19) recover. But about 14% will have a severe infection, and a further 6% will become critically ill. Research shows 16% of those hospitalised need an intensive care bed – often for prolonged periods of time. Some will need to be placed in a medical coma on a ventilator.
During this critical period, specialist physiotherapists will remotely monitor patients and decide if they’re needed to help a patient’s respiratory function and physical recovery by looking at factors such as a person’s oxygen levels, blood test results, lung scans, and following discussion with their colleagues.
Here are some of the problems that physiotherapists can assist with when people are in hospital with COVID-19.
Low blood oxygen
People with severe COVID-19 infections suffer from low blood oxygen. Patients with difficulty breathing because of the virus will have worsening lung function and won’t be able to circulate oxygen properly to the body’s essential organs.
In moderate to severe cases of COVID-19, prone positioning (lying face down) is recommended. Lying face down for hours at a time can increase oxygen levels in the blood. This is because it helps match air to blood supply in the lungs, and also opens up areas of lung tissue to allow more gas exchange.
Often, this treatment is used when patients are still critically unwell due to COVID-19. Moving the patient in and out of prone positioning requires a large team of specialist staff which can include physiotherapists. Physiotherapists may also recommend other positions, such as side lying, to assist lung function depending on the patient’s condition.
Physiotherapists can be involved in the treatment of people using non-invasive ventilation, or may in some cases suggest or set up this equipment to improve lung function.
This article appeared in The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-how-physiotherapists-are-helping-patients-recover-136270
COVID-19 articles sourced from various authors.
