• Br J Anaesth · Feb 2021

    Minimising exposure to droplet and aerosolised pathogens: a computational fluid dynamics study.

    • Paolo Perella, Mohammad Tabarra, Ertan Hataysal, Amir Pournasr, and Ian Renfrew.
    • Department of Anaesthesia & Perioperative Medicine, Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK. Electronic address: paolo.perella1@nhs.net.
    • Br J Anaesth. 2021 Feb 1; 126 (2): 544-549.

    BackgroundHazardous pathogens are spread in either droplets or aerosols produced during aerosol-generating procedures (AGP). Adjuncts minimising exposure of healthcare workers to hazardous pathogens released during AGP may be beneficial. We used state-of-the-art computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling to optimise the performance of a custom-designed shield.MethodsWe modelled airflow patterns and trajectories of particles (size range 1-500 μm) emitted during a typical cough using CFD (ANSYS Fluent software, Canonsburg, PA, USA), in the presence and absence of a protective shield enclosing the head of a patient. We modelled the effect of different shield designs, suction tube position, and suction flow rate on particle escape from the shield.ResultsUse of the shield prevented escape of 99.1-100% of particles, which were either trapped on the shield walls (16-21%) or extracted via suction (79-82%). At most, 0.9% particles remained floating inside the shield. Suction flow rates (40-160 L min-1) had no effect on the final location of particles in a closed system. Particle removal from within the shield was optimal when a suction catheter was placed vertically next to the head of the patient. Addition of multiple openings in the shield reduced the purging performance from 99% at 160 L min-1 to 67% at 40 L min-1.ConclusionCFD modelling provides information to guide optimisation of the efficient removal of hazardous pathogens released during AGP from a custom-designed shield. These data are essential to establish before clinical use, pragmatic clinical trials, or both.Copyright © 2020 British Journal of Anaesthesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

      Pubmed     Full text   Copy Citation  

      Add institutional full text...

    Notes

    hide…

What will the 'Medical Journal of You' look like?

Start your free 21 day trial now.

We guarantee your privacy. Your email address will not be shared.