Point-of-care blood gas analysis as a tool for COVID-19 patients: a prehospital setting experience

Portable blood gas analyzers are intended for blood Point-of-care testing (POCT); they make it possible to perform the examination directly at the patient’s bed. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, this device proved useful in emergency medical service for the early assessment of respiratory distress, allowing the appropriate care level to be determined for each patient. 25 cases of covid-19 positive patients in the province of Arezzo were analyzed; POCT blood gas analysis made it possible to evaluate and treat at home about half of the patients (52%) and to admit the others directly to the most appropriate ward. However, some critical issues were found; the limited sample size suggest further research to assess the actual impact of this technology.