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COVID Oximetry @ Home Virtual Ward

Checked: 25-10-2023 by Vicky Ryan Next Review: 25-10-2024

COVID Oximetry

There are three options available to patients with Covid-19.

1. No monitoring.
Please signpost patients to the following information

How to look after yourself at home if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) or symptoms of COVID-19 - NHS (www.nhs.uk) webpage.

2. Self-monitoring for hypoxia

Covid Oximetry @Home should be offered as a self-monitoring, self-escalation pathway unless there is a clinical need for additional support. This is only indicated for small number of the population & guidance on suitable cohorts can be found here: Coronavirus » COVID-19 guidance note: COVID Oximetry @home (england.nhs.uk)

Patient can obtain a pulse oximeter from a supplier such as national pharmacy chains and sales distribution websites e.g. Amazon and Oximeters for home use must meet ISO 80601-2-61:2017 and be CE marked

Patients should be advised to follow the guidance NHS England » COVID Oximetry @home which includes resources for patient, carer and families such as leaflets and videos.

If the person is unable to access a Pulse oximeter due to accessibility issues please contact: NHS@home hub on 0300 125 5001 as we may be able to supply a device.

3. Person has clinically deviated from baseline: consider admission to the NHS@Home

This service is for patients who have clinically deviated from baseline (e.g. due to viral condition such as Covid exacerbating an ongoing long term condition) and require full observational monitoring for worsening clinical instability. Please see the NHS@home - Respiratory Pathway page for further information and referral support.

Efforts are made to ensure the accuracy and agreement of these guidelines, including any content uploaded, referred to or linked to from the system. However, BNSSG ICB cannot guarantee this. This guidance does not override the individual responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer, in accordance with the mental capacity act, and informed by the summary of product characteristics of any drugs they are considering. Practitioners are required to perform their duties in accordance with the law and their regulators and nothing in this guidance should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with compliance with those duties.

Information provided through Remedy is continually updated so please be aware any printed copies may quickly become out of date.