| Literature DB >> 32600101 |
Christopher J Hill1, Gregory G Capra1, Thomas P McDonald1, Gabriel F Santiago1, J Paul Radabaugh1.
Abstract
The outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a momentous impact on the field of otolaryngology due to the high number of aerosol-generating procedures involving the upper aerodigestive tract. These procedures bear significant risk to the provider and clinical environment due to the possibility of viral aerosolization. While significant attention has been appropriately paid to personal protective equipment during this pandemic, an understanding of industrial hygiene is also necessary for the safe delivery of health care to mitigate the risk of exposure to other patients and health care workers. We provide a review of air ventilation practices and their role in reducing pathogen spread. In addition, we share our experiences with effectively treating COVID-19-positive patients aboard the USNS Comfort through proper environment control measures.Entities:
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS CoV-2; aerosol-generating procedure; air changes per hour; air handling; environmental control; environmental safety; high-risk aerosol; industrial hygiene; negative pressure room; otolaryngology; respiratory protection
Year: 2020 PMID: 32600101 DOI: 10.1177/0194599820938016
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg ISSN: 0194-5998 Impact factor: 3.497