BackgroundContinuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and High Flow Nasal Oxygen (HFNO) have been used to manage hypoxaemic respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19 pneumonia. Limited data are available for patients treated with non-invasive respiratory support outside of the intensive care setting.MethodsIn this single-centre observational study we observed the characteristics, physiological observations, laboratory tests, and outcomes of all consecutive patients with COVID-19 pneumonia between April 2020 and March 2021 treated with non-invasive respiratory support outside of the intensive care setting.ResultsWe report the outcomes of 140 patients (Mean Age=71.2 [sd=11.1], 65% Male [n=91]) treated with CPAP/HFNO outside of the intensive care setting. Overall mortality was 59% and was higher in those deemed unsuitable for mechanical ventilation (72%). The mean age of survivors was significantly lower than those who died (66.1 versus 74.4 years, p<0.001). Those who survived their admission also had a significantly lower median Clinical Frailty Score than the non-survivor group (2 versus 4, p<0.001). We report no significant difference in mortality between those treated with CPAP (n=92, mortality: 60%) or HFNO (n=48, mortality: 56%). Treatment was well tolerated in 86% of patients receiving either CPAP or HFNO.ConclusionsCPAP and HFNO delivered outside of the intensive care setting are viable treatment options for patients with hypoxaemic respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19 pneumonia, including those considered unsuitable for invasive mechanical ventilation. This provides an opportunity to safeguard intensive care capacity for COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.

No abstract

No abstract

Aim Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) is one of the important diagnostic tests in patients with probable hepatobiliary or lung diseases. As it is an airborne procedure and due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, British Society of Gastroenterology and NICE guidelines have stated that patients who are undergoing EUS must be tested for COVID-19 within 3 days before the procedure. EUS must be considered deferring if the patient tests positive. The aim of this audit is to increase the proportion of patients being swabbed within 3 days/72 hours of the procedure to &gt; 90% by the end of 2021. Method A list of patients who underwent elective EUS in January (initial audit) and mid-May to mid-June (re-audit) were collected using Endosoft software. Afterwards, electronic patient record system was checked for the date of the COVID-19 swab and its results. This data was then recorded in a password-protected Excel spreadsheet and the proportion of the patients meeting the standard was calculated. Results The results of the initial audit indicated that although 95.7% of swabs were done within 3 days of the procedure, only 40.9% were done within 72 hours. These results were discussed at a mortality and morbidity meeting, and recommendations were. Hence, in the re-audit, 98.4% of the swabs were done within 3 days of the procedure and the percentage of swabs being done within 72 hours increased to 95.2%. Conclusions The target of increasing the proportion of patients being swabbed within 3 days/72 hours of the EUS procedure to &gt; 90% was met in mid-2021.