SARS-CoV-2 aerosol generation during respiratory equipment reprocessing

Area of Science:

• Infection Control
• Public Health
• Healthcare Associated Infections

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about potential SARS-CoV-2 aerosolization during medical device reprocessing.
• Understanding airborne transmission risks is crucial for protecting healthcare workers in sterile processing departments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the air and on surfaces within sterile processing departments during device reprocessing.
• To determine if reprocessing contaminated respiratory equipment leads to airborne viral shedding.

Main Methods:

• Air and surface samples were collected from sterile processing departments and ICUs in two hospitals.
• Samples were taken during the reprocessing of respiratory equipment from COVID-19 patients.
• RT-PCR was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

Main Results:

• SARS-CoV-2 was detected in only one air sample prior to decontamination.
• No viable SARS-CoV-2 RNA was found in any sterile processing department or patient-adjacent samples.
• Reprocessing of respiratory equipment did not result in detectable aerosolization of SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions:

• The reprocessing of medical devices, including respiratory equipment, does not appear to significantly aerosolize SARS-CoV-2.
• Medical masks are likely sufficient personal protective equipment for staff in sterile processing departments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Further research could explore long-term implications and other reprocessing methods.