Rhinologic Practice Special Considerations During COVID-19: Visit Planning, Personal Protective Equipment, Testing, and Environmental Controls.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
; 163(4): 676-681, 2020 10.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-459394
ABSTRACT
As rhinologists return to practice amid SARS-CoV-2, special considerations are warranted given the unique features of their subspecialty. Rhinologist manipulation of nasal tissue, proximity, and frequent aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) create high risk for infection transmission. There are 4 areas of special consideration to mitigate risk (1) previsit planning for risk stratification/mitigation, (2) appropriate personal protective equipment, (3) preprocedural testing, and (4) environmental controls. During previsit planning, risk factors of the patient and procedures are considered. High-risk AGPs are identified by duration, proximity, manipulation of high-viral load tissue, and use of powered instrumentation. Appropriate personal protective equipment includes selection of respiratory and eye protection. COVID-19 testing can screen for asymptomatic carriers prior to high-risk procedures; however, alternative testing methods are required in rhinologic patients not eligible for nasopharyngeal testing due to nasal obstruction or skull base defects. Last, AGPs in rhinologic practices require considerations of room air handling and environmental controls.
Keywords
COVID; COVID-19; PPE; SARS-CoV-2; aerosol-generating procedure; air changes per hour; air handling; environmental control; environmental safety; eye protection; high-risk aerosol; oropharyngeal swab; otolaryngology; personal protective equipment; planning; respiratory protection; rhinologic; rhinology; testing; visit planning
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Otolaryngology
/
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Disease Transmission, Infectious
/
Delivery of Health Care
/
Pandemics
/
Personal Protective Equipment
/
Betacoronavirus
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
Journal subject:
Otolaryngology
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
0194599820933169
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