Outcomes from a virtual ward delivering oxygen at home for patients recovering from COVID-19: a real world observational study

Background: There is a lack of data on the safety of providing oxygen at home to stable patients recovering from COVID-19.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients discharged to a COVID-19 virtual ward (CVW) between January 2021 and March 2021 at a UK district general hospital was performed. Patients with improving clinical trajectories and oxygen requirements up to 4 L/minute were eligible. Outcomes measured were 30-day mortality and readmission rate.

Results: From 02 January 2021 to 16 March 2021 (74 days), 147 patients discharged to the CVW were included: 71 received continuous or ambulatory oxygen, and 76 received pulse oximetry monitoring only. Five patients were readmitted within 30 days and two patients died. There were no significant differences between readmission and mortality rates between those discharged with or without oxygen.

Conclusion: Provision of oxygen at home for selected patients recovering from COVID-19 is safe with low risk of readmission and death.