Don’t delay seeking medical help if you need oxygen - Boo
Covid-19 patients whose conditions are serious enough to require supplementary oxygen should not delay seeking medical help, said Dr Boo Cheng Hau.
In a Facebook post today, he shared the case of a 46-year-old patient whose chest X-rays revealed damage that is consistent with Stage 4 Covid-19.
Boo (above) said the patient had been using supplementary oxygen at home without medical supervision, thanks to an oxygen concentrator...
Covid-19 patients whose conditions are serious enough to require supplementary oxygen should not delay seeking medical help, said Dr Boo Cheng Hau.
In a Facebook post today, he shared the case of a 46-year-old patient whose chest X-rays revealed damage that is consistent with Stage 4 Covid-19.
Boo (above) said the patient had been using supplementary oxygen at home without medical supervision, thanks to an oxygen concentrator provided by a friend.
This kept his blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) at 94 percent for four days, and the patient only sought medical assistance when his SpO2 level dropped further to 88 percent.
“The question is whether oxygen supply should be given without any medical supervision which actually makes hypoxic patients ‘happier’ at home and delays necessary hospitalisation when his conditions are actually deteriorating.
“Our aim should be near-zero brought-in-dead (BID) cases. Any case of BID shows the weaknesses of the health system to cope with the pandemic. It’s nothing to be proud of.
“Any Covid-19 patient who needs oxygen supplement is considered at least Stage 4 and needs immediate hospitalisation to prevent BIDs,” said Boo, a Johor DAP committee member and a clinician.
For the record, a normal SpO2 reading is between 95 and 100 percent. The Medical Device Authority advises using pulse oximeters registered with the authority to ensure the device’s accuracy.
Under the Health Ministry’s guidelines for private doctors conducting home monitoring Covid-19 patients experiencing mild symptoms, such patients are referred for admission at a quarantine facility or hospital if the patient’s condition deteriorates and they exhibit certain warning signs.
These signs include breathing difficulties while under physical exertion, rapid breathing above 25 breaths per minute, or SpO2 of less than 95 percent while breathing room air.
