Home monitoring of coronavirus disease 2019 patients in different phases of disease

Abstract

Purpose of review Various home monitoring programs have emerged through the COVID-19 pandemic in different phases of COVID-19 disease. Recent findings The prehospital monitoring of COVID-19-positive patients detects early deterioration. Hospital care at home provides early discharge with oxygen to empty hospital beds for other patients. Home monitoring during recovery can be used for rehabilitation and detection of potential relapses. General goals of home monitoring in COVID-19 are early detection of deterioration and prompt escalation of care such as emergency department presentation, medical advice, medication prescription and mental support. Due to the innovations of vaccination and treatment changes, such as dexamethasone and tocilizumab, the challenge for the healthcare system has shifted from large numbers of admitted COVID-19 patients to lower numbers of admitted patients with specific risk profiles (such as immunocompromised). This also changes the field of home monitoring in COVID-19. Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of home monitoring interventions depend on the costs of the intervention (use of devices, apps and medical staff) and the proposed patient group (depending on risk factors and disease severity). Summary Patient satisfaction of COVID-19 home monitoring programs was mostly high. Home monitoring programs for COVID-19 should be ready to be re-escalated in case of a new global pandemic.