To strengthen surveillance and be able to treat the disease before it worsens (with corticosteroids, anticoagulants and oxygen therapy), the ministry has set up 100% reimbursement for the rental of pulse oximeters, on medical prescription, for all patients with respiratory symptoms (even a simple cough), those at risk of severe forms and those over 65 years of age.
These small, non-invasive devices take the form of a clamp that is placed on the tip of your finger and which measures the oxygen saturation using a sensor.
Indeed with Covid-19, the condition of some patients deteriorates on the respiratory level without being aware of it until the disease reaches an advanced stage.
In addition, some patients do not consult a doctor after having been diagnosed positive and young people without classic risk factors are not always aware that they too can have a serious form.
110,000 saturometers available
Result: 15 and 20% of patients who arrive at the hospital go directly to intensive care, a much higher percentage than for other respiratory diseases, according to the Ministry of Health, which recalls "the organic and psychological impact and the after-effects possible.
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Depending on the level of saturation that is given by the machine, the patient can detect a possible deterioration of the disease before it is on an advanced form, specifies the ministry which estimates that 110,000 saturometers, meeting technical standards, are available in France and the stock could be doubled in 15 days.
