Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Dec 2020
Reverse-Surge Planning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cautionary Ramp-up for the Otolaryngologist.
As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve through the United States and other countries, differing rates of progression and decline are occurring based on varied population densities. While some health systems are reaching a steady state of new patient cases, others are seeing a leveling off or decline, allowing for restoration of normal practices. ⋯ For the otolaryngologist, reverse-surge planning involves additional workflow adjustments in the outpatient and operating room settings given the abundance of COVID-19 virus in the upper aerodigestive tract. As the reverse-surge best practices are still under development, open communication between otolaryngology colleagues and health system leadership is paramount to optimize efficiency and maintain an adequate measure of safety for patients and our health care teams.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Dec 2020
High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters in the Era of COVID-19: Function and Efficacy.
Aerosol-generating procedures in the office represent a major concern for health care-associated infection of patients and health care providers by SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet provided any recommendations for the use of portable air purifiers, air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters have been discussed as an adjunctive means for decontamination of SARS-CoV-2 aerosols in health care settings. ⋯ HEPA filter functionality and prior guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for SARS-CoV-1 suggest theoretical efficacy for HEPA filters to decontaminate airborne SARS-CoV-2, although direct studies for SARS-CoV-2 have not been performed. Any portable HEPA purifier utilization for SARS-CoV-2 should be considered an adjunctive infection control measure and undertaken with knowledge of HEPA filter functionality and limitations in mind.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Dec 2020
Misconceptions About Negative Pressure Rooms and Their Impact Aboard USNS Comfort in New York City.
The outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a momentous impact on the field of otolaryngology due to the high number of aerosol-generating procedures involving the upper aerodigestive tract. These procedures bear significant risk to the provider and clinical environment due to the possibility of viral aerosolization. ⋯ We provide a review of air ventilation practices and their role in reducing pathogen spread. In addition, we share our experiences with effectively treating COVID-19-positive patients aboard the USNS Comfort through proper environment control measures.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Dec 2020
ReviewArtificial Intelligence Applications in Otology: A State of the Art Review.
Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are driving innovative new health care solutions. We aim to review the state of the art of AI in otology and provide a discussion of work underway, current limitations, and future directions. ⋯ This review highlights several applications of AI that otologists and otolaryngologists alike should be aware of given the possibility of implementation in mainstream clinical practice. Although there remain significant ethical and regulatory challenges, AI powered systems offer great potential to shape how healthcare systems of the future operate and clinicians are key stakeholders in this process.