The Start

The initial experience of King's Critical Care for COVID19 has matched that seen around the world. Heterogeneous presentation and course. Patients with pre-existing disease and/or immunosuppressed seem to develop acute pneumonitis rapidly with profound hypoxia. As a group we feel early intubation and avoiding high flow/prolonged NIV is the way to go. Once intubated, the pneumonitis appears manageable with standard lung protective ventilation. Although prepared to prone early we have not had to do this yet.