Novel Barrier Enclosure for Both Aerosol and Droplet Protection Model

• Published in: The western journal of emergency medicine Vol. 21; no. 4; pp. 790 - 794
• Main Authors: Branecki, Chad E, Jobeun, Nicholas J, Ronnfeldt, Tyler J, Ash, Michael A, Schulte, Thomas E, Langenfeld, Jason G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States University of California Digital Library - eScholarship 29-06-2020; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine; eScholarship Publishing, University of California
• Subjects: Aerosols; Biofouling - prevention & control; Cough - virology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 - transmission; COVID-19 - virology; Endemic Infections; Humans; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional - prevention & control; Intubation; Intubation, Intratracheal - methods; Personal Protective Equipment; SARS-CoV-2 - physiology; Simulation Training
• ISSN: 1936-900X; 1936-9018; 1936-9018
• DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2020.6.47834

Emergency physicians are on the front lines of treating patients with highly infectious respiratory diseases. Personal protective equipment is one defense against contamination from droplet and aerosol secretions. Intubation is a procedure that greatly can increase provider's risk of exposure. Utilization of an intubation box has been discussed and recommended on social media platforms. There has been scant literature demonstrating the effectiveness of such devices. This study aimed to determine degree of droplet contamination to the intubator utilizing a novel barrier enclosure with a fluorescent simulated respiratory contagion. This model confirmed both added protection to the providers preforming intubation, and reduction of spread of the droplets when such a device is applied to patient care.