• Vinciya Pandian, Linda L Morris, Martin B Brodsky, James Lynch, Brian Walsh, Cynda Rushton, Jane Phillips, Alphonsa Rahman, Troy DeRose, Leah Lambe, Lionel Lami, WuSarah Pui ManSPMSarah Pui Man Wu, advance practice nurse, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong., Francisco Paredes Garza, Simona Maiani, Andrea Zavalis, Kafilat Ajoke Okusanya, Patrick A Palmieri, Brendan A McGrath, Paolo Pelosi, Mary Lou Sole, Patricia Davidson, and Michael J Brenner.
• Vinciya Pandian is associate professor, Department of Nursing Faculty, and Outcomes After Critical Illness and Surgery (OACIS) Research Group, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
• Am. J. Crit. Care. 2020 Nov 1; 29 (6): e116e127e116-e127.

PurposeCritical care nurses caring for patients with a tracheostomy are at high risk because of the predilection of SARS-CoV-2 for respiratory and mucosal surfaces. This review identifies patient-centered practices that ensure safety and reduce risk of infection transmission to health care workers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.MethodsConsensus statements, guidelines, institutional recommendations, and scientific literature on COVID-19 and previous outbreaks were reviewed. A global interdisciplinary team analyzed and prioritized findings via electronic communications and video conferences to develop consensus recommendations.ResultsAerosol-generating procedures are commonly performed by nurses and other health care workers, most notably during suctioning, tracheostomy tube changes, and stoma care. Patient repositioning, readjusting circuits, administering nebulized medications, and patient transport also present risks. Standard personal protective equipment includes an N95/FFP3 mask with or without surgical masks, gloves, goggles, and gown when performing aerosol-generating procedures for patients with known or suspected COVID-19. Viral testing of bronchial aspirate via tracheostomy may inform care providers when determining the protective equipment required. The need for protocols to reduce risk of transmission of infection to nurses and other health care workers is evident.ConclusionCritical care nurses and multidisciplinary teams often care for patients with a tracheostomy who are known or suspected to have COVID-19. Appropriate care of these patients relies on safeguarding the health care team. The practices described in this review may greatly reduce risk of infectious transmission.©2020 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

24 keywords...

hide…