Addressing silent hypoxemia with COVID-19: Implementation of an outpatient pulse oximetry program in Vermont

Marlowe Galbraith; Patsy Kelso; Mark Levine; Richard C Wasserman; Jessica Sikka; Jennifer S Read

doi:10.1016/j.puhip.2021.100186

Addressing silent hypoxemia with COVID-19: Implementation of an outpatient pulse oximetry program in Vermont

Public Health Pract (Oxf). 2021 Nov:2:100186. doi: 10.1016/j.puhip.2021.100186. Epub 2021 Aug 27.

Authors

Marlowe Galbraith^{1

2}, Patsy Kelso¹, Mark Levine¹, Richard C Wasserman^{1

3}, Jessica Sikka^{1

3}, Jennifer S Read^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Vermont Department of Health, Burlington, VT, USA.
² Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
³ Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.

Abstract

Objectives: We initiated an outpatient pulse oximetry program to facilitate more rapid detection of clinical deterioration of persons with COVID-19.

Methods: Vermont residents in non-congregate settings with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were eligible for inclusion.

Results: Acceptance of pulse oximetry occurred more frequently among those who were older or symptomatic, spoke English, or who had underlying medical conditions.

Conclusions: We provide the first description of an outpatient pulse oximetry program for COVID-19 by a state health department in the U.S.

Keywords: COVID-19; Outpatient; Pulse oximetry.