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Preventing spread of aerosolized infectious particles during medical procedures: A lab-based analysis of an
Luke W Monroe1, Jack S Johnson1, Howard B Gutstein2
1Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America.
Abstract:
Severe viral respiratory diseases, such as SARS-CoV-2, are transmitted through aerosol particles produced by coughing, talking, and breathing. Medical procedures including tracheal intubation, extubation, dental work, and any procedure involving close contact with a patient's airways can increase exposure to infectious aerosol particles. This presents a significant risk for viral exposure of nearby healthcare workers during and following patient care. Previous studies have examined the effectiveness of plastic enclosures for trapping aerosol particles and protecting health-care workers. However, many of these enclosures are expensive or are burdensome for healthcare workers to work with. In this study, a low-cost plastic enclosure was designed to reduce aerosol spread and viral transmission during medical procedures, while also alleviating issues found in the design and use of other medical enclosures to contain aerosols. This enclosure is fabricated from clear polycarbonate for maximum visibility. A large single-side cutout provides health care providers with ease of access to the patient with a separate cutout for equipment access. A survey of medical providers in a local hospital network demonstrated their approval of the enclosure's ease of use and design. The enclosure with appropriate plastic covers reduced total escaped particle number concentrations (diameter > 0.01 μm) by over 93% at 8 cm away from all openings. Concentration decay experiments indicated that the enclosure without active suction should be left on the patient for 15-20 minutes following a tracheal manipulation to allow sufficient time for >90% of aerosol particles to settle upon interior surfaces. This decreases to 5 minutes when 30 LPM suction is applied. This enclosure is an inexpensive, easily implemented additional layer of protection that can be used to help contain infectious or otherwise potentially hazardous aerosol particles while providing access into the enclosure.
Insights
A new, low-cost medical enclosure effectively reduces airborne viral particles during medical procedures. This protective device significantly lowers healthcare worker exposure to infectious aerosols, enhancing patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Medical Engineering
- Infectious Disease Control
- Aerosol Science
Background:
- Severe viral respiratory diseases like SARS-CoV-2 spread via infectious aerosol particles.
- Medical procedures involving patient airways pose significant viral exposure risks to healthcare workers.
- Existing aerosol containment enclosures are often costly or impractical for clinical use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate a low-cost, user-friendly plastic enclosure for reducing aerosol spread during medical procedures.
- To mitigate the risks of viral transmission to healthcare personnel from airborne particles.
- To address limitations of current aerosol containment solutions.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a clear polycarbonate enclosure with large, accessible cutouts for patient and equipment access.
- Quantitative assessment of aerosol particle reduction using particle counters.
- Evaluation of particle decay rates with and without active suction.
- Survey of healthcare providers on enclosure usability and design.
Main Results:
- The enclosure reduced escaped particle concentrations (>0.01 μm) by over 93% at 8 cm.
- Without suction, 15-20 minutes of enclosure use allowed >90% aerosol particle settling.
- With 30 LPM suction, settling time reduced to 5 minutes.
- Healthcare providers approved the enclosure's ease of use and design.
Conclusions:
- The developed enclosure offers an inexpensive and effective method for containing infectious aerosols.
- It provides an accessible, additional layer of protection for healthcare workers during aerosol-generating procedures.
- The design balances containment efficacy with practical usability in clinical settings.
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