The efficacy of an aerosol box to prevent infections during aerosol-generating procedures

ABSTRACT

The new risks faced by healthcare workers in the COVID-19 pandemic have inspired the development of new forms of personal protective equipment (PPE). Such a novel PPE is an aerosol box modified and adapted to facilitate safer intubation of patients infected with SARS-CoV2. Hitherto, the idea of a protective aerosol box has found clinical application in anaesthesiology and many other fields of medicine and dentistry. However, numerous criticisms of the original design have led to the evolution of new forms that gradually improved the original shortcomings. The present modified design improves the safety and simplicity of use while reducing the operator's hindrance during interventions. Operator training is also extremely important for the correct and safe use of the aerosol box in clinical practice. Aerosol box does significantly affect the speed of intubation therefore it is not recommended in urgent cases. Many authors have been able to prove that the use of the original box, as well as its later modifications, adequately protects healthcare workers from large and small water droplets. However, the use of the original form increases the risk of infection with aerosol particles.