Remote management of covid-19 using home pulse oximetry and virtual ward support | The BMJ

https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n677

Remote management of covid-19 using home pulse oximetry and virtual ward support

1. Trisha Greenhalgh, professor1,  
2. Matthew Knight, consultant respiratory physician2 3,  
3. Matt Inda-Kim, consultant acute physician4 5,  
4. Naomi J Fulop, professor6,  
5. Jonathan Leach, general practitioner7,  
6. Cecilia Vindrola-Padros, postdoctoral researcher6

1. Correspondence to T Greenhalgh trish.greenhalgh@phc.ox.ac.uk

What you need to know

• Pulse oximeters used at home can detect hypoxia associated with acute covid-19

• Home oximetry requires clinical support, such as regular phone contact from a health professional in a virtual ward setting

• More research is needed to understand the safety and effectiveness of home oximetry and to optimise service models and referral pathways