A proposal of a cheap and simple method of medical personnel protection for endotracheal intubation of patients with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection

• Authors: Tomasz Gaszyński , Michał Fedorczak , Jakub Pondel

Abstracts

EN

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has created additional risks to healthcare providers, especially those who perform aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) like endotracheal intubation. Endotracheal intubation is one of the procedures mostly generating aerosol and, therefore, requiring full protection of medical personnel against the infection.Material and MethodsIn this paper, basing on a literature review, the recommended intubation procedure is presented together with recommendations for personal protection during intubation. Additionally, a proposal of a simple and cheap protective barrier is described against spreading aerosol outside the intubation area. The aim was to propose a simple and cheap method to increase the safety of medical personnel performing AGPs in patients infected or suspected of being infected with COVID-19, which could be easily introduced into clinical practice.ResultsThe presented method is the authors’ own idea, based on their experience gathered from working in an operating room. Judging from their clinical experience, the presented method is effective and safe for patients.ConclusionsEndotracheal intubation is one of the most common AGPs and adequate actions must be taken in order to protect medical personnel against the infection and to prevent the spreading of aerosol around the intubation area. The proposed barrier is easy to set with disposable materials and standard equipment available in every operating room.

Keywords

EN

intubation; infection; personal protective equipment; airway management; COVID-19; intubation barrier

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Year: 2021
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 301-305

Dates

published

2021

Contributors

author

Tomasz Gaszyński

• Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland (Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy)

author

Michał Fedorczak

• Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland (Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy)

author

Jakub Pondel

• Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland (Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy)

Identifiers

DOI

10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01725

Biblioteka Nauki

2086093