Participants
pulmonary embolism, spine or pelvis fractures, trauma
PULMONARY EMBOLISM, PNEUMOTHORAX, DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS, COVID-19 PNEUMONIA, CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
Eligible patients were hospitalised in medical wards for < 72 h, were 18–85 years old, had laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia, were breathing spontaneously with supplemental oxygen (via standard nasal prongs, mask or high-flow nasal cannula) and were able to self-position in the prone position or with the assistance of one person. Exclusion criteria included respiratory support at home, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Gold stage 3 or 4), contraindication to prone positioning (recent thoracic trauma, pneumothorax, unstable spine or pelvis fractures), deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism with curative anticoagulation for < 48 h, respiratory rate > 40/min or excessive use of respiratory muscles (as judged by the clinician), patient discharged from ICU after having invasive intubation or NIV for COVID-19 pneumonia, a do-not-intubate order, pregnant or breastfeeding women and patient not affiliated or excluded from French or Monegasque public health insurance or under law protection (minors, persons deprived of their liberty by court or administrative decision).