Being Cardiorespiratory therapist,
I want to share my views on COVID-19 Pandemic, that affects the Respiratory system.
The most common complication in severe COVID-19 patients being severe pneumonia, but other complications may include Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Sepsis and Septic Shock, Multiple Organ Failure, including Acute Kidney Injury and Cardiac Injury, which are more prevalent in at-risk groups including Older Age (> 60 years) and those with Co-morbid Diseases such as Cardiovascular Disease, Lung Disease, Diabetes and those who are Immunosuppressed .
we don't have enough evidences on the exact line of treatment and also the vaccinations are under trial now.
But as and how we see the cases, we will getter a better idea of the sequelae and in time we can definitely come up with something more precise and work accordingly as we have been doing for H1N1 and other infectious diseases in the past.
For now, as and how we come across the patients, depending on the severity of the cases and the underlying co morbities, we can use our treatment techniques and protocols accordingly which may include:
1.Positioning,
2. Bronchial hygiene,
3. Respiratory facilitation,
4. Deep breathing exercises,
5. Active Cycle of Breathing
6. Techniques to improve lung volumes,
7.Autogenic drainage, etc, and can be performed at any stage of the diseases depending on the need of the cases and where they are appropriate and safe to perform, abiding by the protective guidelines of the health authorities.
But prior to that we need to consider the recommendation by WHO which states that
'Acutely unwell confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients should NOT be routinely referred to physiotherapy. There are currently no reports that suggests COVID-19 patients have high secretion loads requiring intensive respiratory physiotherapy/airway clearance. Physiotherapy intervention is likely to be of limited benefit in the acute stages and most beneficial use of physiotherapy resources will be to facilitate the treatment and discharge of non-infected patients as well as training and supporting our colleagues in managing the acutely unwell. Physiotherapists will have a role in the rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients who have not returned to their functional baseline once they are no longer acutely unwell.
The WHO recommends limiting the number of Health Care Workers who are in contact with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients and to limit the number of persons present in the room to the absolute minimum required for the patient’s care and support'
NOW THIS IS WHAT IS THE NEED OF THE HOUR
Primarily,
Physiotherapists, especially Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapists, may find themselves in a position to reduce the workload in emergency departments and/or divert staff to contribute to the care of hospitalised COVID19 cases.
- Educate and spread the awareness about the condition and the symptoms by spreading all that is valid by WHO or local/ National Health authorities.
- Practice, Promote and Teach Infection control
- Try to promote the Importance and techniques of breathing exercises in healthy and elderly individuals (will post it in the next post for reference) to keep their lungs healthy and to improve their aerobic capacity as well.
- Give home exercise programs, including breathing and chest expansion exercises, to the people in lockdown or in isolation - Now here it is very important to understand first that what kind of breathing exercises are needed for a particular patient. As we all know, that breathing exercises differ according to a person's comorbities. So start consulting online for such patients.
-Dealing with isolation can lead to multiple other health issues so educate and counsel your patients about how to deal with it physically and mentally.
'Tele Rehabilitation' is something I strongly promote and Recommend at this hour so that we don't deprive our patients from any necessary Physiotherapy consultation.
Chest Physiotherapists have always worked at risk and at the frontline with other medical professionals in treating multiple ailments including highly infectious diseases, so even now, when and where needed, we will deliver our best to the society.
Regards
Dr Ridhima Jain
(PT )
Being Cardiorespiratory therapist,
I want to share my views on COVID-19 Pandemic, that affects the Respiratory system.
The most common complication in severe COVID-19 patients being severe pneumonia, but other complications may include Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Sepsis and Septic Shock, Multiple Organ Failure, including Acute Kidney Injury and Cardiac Injury, which are more prevalent in at-risk groups including Older Age (> 60 years) and those with Co-morbid Diseases such as Cardiovascular Disease, Lung Disease, Diabetes and those who are Immunosuppressed .
we don't have enough evidences on the exact line of treatment and also the vaccinations are under trial now.
But as and how we see the cases, we will getter a better idea of the sequelae and in time we can definitely come up with something more precise and work accordingly as we have been doing for H1N1 and other infectious diseases in the past.
For now, as and how we come across the patients, depending on the severity of the cases and the underlying co morbities, we can use our treatment techniques and protocols accordingly which may include:
1.Positioning,
2. Bronchial hygiene,
3. Respiratory facilitation,
4. Deep breathing exercises,
5. Active Cycle of Breathing
6. Techniques to improve lung volumes,
7.Autogenic drainage, etc, and can be performed at any stage of the diseases depending on the need of the cases and where they are appropriate and safe to perform, abiding by the protective guidelines of the health authorities.
But prior to that we need to consider the recommendation by WHO which states that
'Acutely unwell confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients should NOT be routinely referred to physiotherapy. There are currently no reports that suggests COVID-19 patients have high secretion loads requiring intensive respiratory physiotherapy/airway clearance. Physiotherapy intervention is likely to be of limited benefit in the acute stages and most beneficial use of physiotherapy resources will be to facilitate the treatment and discharge of non-infected patients as well as training and supporting our colleagues in managing the acutely unwell. Physiotherapists will have a role in the rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients who have not returned to their functional baseline once they are no longer acutely unwell.
The WHO recommends limiting the number of Health Care Workers who are in contact with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients and to limit the number of persons present in the room to the absolute minimum required for the patient’s care and support'
NOW THIS IS WHAT IS THE NEED OF THE HOUR
Primarily,
Physiotherapists, especially Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapists, may find themselves in a position to reduce the workload in emergency departments and/or divert staff to contribute to the care of hospitalised COVID19 cases.
- Educate and spread the awareness about the condition and the symptoms by spreading all that is valid by WHO or local/ National Health authorities.
- Practice, Promote and Teach Infection control
- Try to promote the Importance and techniques of breathing exercises in healthy and elderly individuals (will post it in the next post for reference) to keep their lungs healthy and to improve their aerobic capacity as well.
- Give home exercise programs, including breathing and chest expansion exercises, to the people in lockdown or in isolation - Now here it is very important to understand first that what kind of breathing exercises are needed for a particular patient. As we all know, that breathing exercises differ according to a person's comorbities. So start consulting online for such patients.
-Dealing with isolation can lead to multiple other health issues so educate and counsel your patients about how to deal with it physically and mentally.
'Tele Rehabilitation' is something I strongly promote and Recommend at this hour so that we don't deprive our patients from any necessary Physiotherapy consultation.
Chest Physiotherapists have always worked at risk and at the frontline with other medical professionals in treating multiple ailments including highly infectious diseases, so even now, when and where needed, we will deliver our best to the society.
Regards
Dr Ridhima Jain
(PT )
corona
