Patient-Worn Enhanced Protection Face Shield for Flexible Endoscopy

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Infectious Disease Control
• Protective Equipment

Background:

• Healthcare professionals, particularly otolaryngologists, face high risks during aerosol-generating procedures like flexible fiberoptic endoscopy.
• Standard personal protective equipment may not fully mitigate exposure to infectious particles during such procedures.
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for improved personal protective equipment, with face shields emerging as a preferred alternative to face masks for broader protection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the protective efficacy of a novel enhanced face shield design against a standard face shield.
• To evaluate the ability of face shields to prevent aerosolized particle contamination in a controlled laboratory setting.

Main Methods:

• A flexible fiberoptic endoscope was utilized within both standard and enhanced face shield designs.
• Simulated coughs were generated using fluorescein dye expelled from an atomizer within a test participant's mouth.
• Ultraviolet lighting and visual inspection were used to quantify dye splatter and assess contamination areas.

Main Results:

• The standard face shield design showed significant aerosolized dye splatter, particularly along the lower lateral aspects, leading to environmental contamination.
• The enhanced face shield design successfully maintained a barrier, preventing the aerosolized dye from spreading.

Conclusions:

• The enhanced face shield design offers superior protection against aerosolized particles compared to standard designs.
• This improved face shield can enhance safety for medical personnel during procedures like flexible fiberoptic endoscopy.
• The enhanced face shield represents a valuable advancement in personal protective equipment for healthcare professionals and the public.