Continuous positive airway pressure with patient mobilization (including pronation) was effective and safe in patients with ARDS due to COVID-19 managed outside the intensive care unit setting during the pandemic.

Of 90 ARDS patients treated with continuous positive airway pressure (45/90, 50% pronated at least once) outside the intensive care unit and with a median (interquartile) follow up of 37 (11-46) days, 45 (50%) were discharged at home, 28 (31%) were still hospitalized, and 17 (19%) died.

Continuous positive airway pressure failure was recorded for 35 (39%) patients.

Patient mobilization was associated with reduced failure rates (p=0.033).

No safety issues were observed.

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