Procedures that could generate infectious aerosols should be performed cautiously and avoided if appropriate alternatives exist.
AGPs should take place in an airborne infection isolation room (negative pressure), if possible.
Typical COVID PPE is appropriate including an N95 respirator or PAPR, eye protection, a gown and gloves.
The number of healthcare workers present during the procedure should be limited to only those essential for patient care and procedure support. Visitors should not be present for the procedure.
CDC and WHO lists of aerosol-generating procedures
| CDC | WHO |
Autopsies |
| X |
Bronchoscopy | X | X |
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) | X | X |
Dentistry Procedures |
| X |
Endotracheal intubation/extubation | X | X |
Manual Ventilation | X | X |
Non-Invasive ventilation (e.g. BiPAP, CPAP) | X | X |
Open suctioning of airways | X |
|
Sputum induction | X | X |
Tracheotomy |
| X |
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fhcp%2Finfection-control-after-vaccination.html
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in Health care Settings. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/health caresettings.htm.
3. World Health Organization. Infection prevention and control during health care when coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is suspected or confirmed. Available at: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/342620/WHO-2019-nCoV-IPC-2021.1-eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y