Misconceptions About Negative Pressure Rooms and Their Impact Aboard USNS Comfort in New York City. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hill, Christopher J.; Capra, Gregory G.; McDonald, Thomas P.; Santiago, Gabriel F.; Radabaugh, J. Paul
• Is Part Of: Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery. Volume 163:Number 6(2020)
• Page Start: 1134
• Page End: 1136
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: SARS CoV-2 -- COVID-19 -- negative pressure room -- aerosol-generating procedure -- otolaryngology -- industrial hygiene -- environmental safety -- environmental control -- high-risk aerosol -- respiratory protection -- air handling -- air changes per hour; Head -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neck -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1177/0194599820938016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0194-5998

Abstract

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. While significant attention has been appropriately paid to personal protective equipment during this pandemic, an understanding of industrial hygiene is also necessary for the safe delivery of health care to mitigate the risk of exposure to other patients and health care workers. 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.