Patients presenting to hospital with suspected COVID-19 need triaging; those who need admission to hospital and those who can be discharged. For the purpose of this classification system, patients should be classified according to the degree of oxygenation failure; severe, moderate and no oxygenation failure.

SEVERE OXYGENATION FAILURE

• SpO₂ less than 90% despite maximal oxygen therapy using ward-based devices (facemask oxygen at a flow rate of 10 L/minute OR using a non-rebreather mask OR using a Respiflo at 98% FiO₂)

Admit the patient, and perform a throat swab to confirm COVID-19

MODERATE OXYGENATION FAILURE

• Requires less than maximal oxygen therapy via ward-based devices (nasal cannulae OR facemask oxygen OR a non-rebreather mask OR Respiflo), to maintain SpO₂ between 90% and 94%.

Admit the patient, and perform a throat swab to confirm COVID-19

NO OXYGENATION FAILURE

• SpO₂ within the normal range (94-98%) on room air

Discharge from hospital, instruct the patient to self-isolate according to local protocol, and re-present to hospital if their symptoms deteriorate.

Last revision: 11/04/2020