Endotracheal intubation with barrier protection

Area of Science:

• Medical Engineering
• Infectious Disease Control
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Healthcare workers (HCWs) face high infection risks from COVID-19 during aerosol-generating medical procedures.
• Previous studies indicated box barriers protect against cough droplets, but efficacy against aerosols was unconfirmed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a box barrier, with and without a plastic sheet, in containing aerosols generated during medical procedures.
• To assess the potential of this barrier system to protect HCWs from airborne contaminants.

Main Methods:

• A battery-powered vaporiser simulated aerosol generation.
• Vapour trajectory was visualized under three conditions: no barrier, box barrier only, and box barrier with a full plastic sheet.
• Comparison of aerosol dispersion patterns was performed.

Main Results:

• Without a barrier, aerosols rapidly dispersed to the laryngoscopist.
• A box barrier alone allowed vapour to diffuse towards the patient's feet and throughout the room.
• The box barrier combined with a plastic sheet successfully contained the vapour within the barrier space.

Conclusions:

• A box barrier with a plastic sheet significantly limits aerosol spread during aerosol-generating procedures.
• This combined barrier system shows potential for protecting HCWs, particularly those caring for patients with suspected COVID-19.
• Enhanced containment strategies are crucial for HCW safety in high-risk clinical settings.