From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Hospital at home care for COVID-19 patients should prioritize supportive measures, appropriate medication, and careful monitoring, with a focus on reducing hospital burden while maintaining patient safety and quality of life. The primary recommendations for hospital at home care include:
- Supportive measures such as acetaminophen for fever and pain, adequate hydration, and rest in a prone position to improve oxygenation 1
- Home oxygen therapy via nasal cannula for patients with oxygen saturation below 94%, with a target of maintaining levels above 92% 2
- Remote monitoring with regular temperature checks, oxygen saturation measurements, and tracking of respiratory rate and symptoms 3
- Antiviral medications like nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) for high-risk patients within 5 days of symptom onset, typically as 300mg nirmatrelvir with 100mg ritonavir twice daily for 5 days 1
- Isolation for at least 5 days from symptom onset, with instructions to seek immediate medical attention if severe symptoms occur 4
Key considerations for hospital at home care include:
- Patient selection and reliable follow-up systems to ensure safe and effective care 5
- Staffing, equipment availability, and upskilling in telehealth and communication to support service operation 5
- Addressing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and prioritizing patient and staff well-being 5
By prioritizing these measures, hospital at home care can provide effective management of COVID-19 while reducing hospital burden and maintaining patient quality of life, as supported by recent studies 4, 1.