Ferioli M, Cisternino C, Leo V, Pisani L, Palange P, Nava S. Eur Respir Rev. 2020 Apr 3;29(155):200068
The objective of this paper is to provide evidence-based recommendations for the correct use of respiratory devices in the COVID-19 emergency and protect healthcare workers from contracting the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Current evidence shows that around 20% of COVID-19 patients develop a severe Respiratory Distress Syndrome, which in almost a third of the cases requires respiratory support treatment. This type of support includes the use of oxygen therapy, HFNC, CPAP and NIV, which are non-invasive methods with a high risk of aerosol dispersion, especially in unprotected environments. Amongst those methods of delivery of non-invasive respiratory support, the use of a respiratory helmet with an inflatable neck cushion represents the safest option. In addition, data suggest that respecting the indications for the use of PPE is effective in preventing infections among healthcare workers, as demonstrated in a case–control study conducted during the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong. This study investigated the effective adhesion of personnel to PPE (gloves, disposable shirts, goggles and masks) and reported that none of the staff using all the safety measures contracted the virus, while all the infected staff had omitted at least one of them. Therefore, the helmet with neck cushion to treat infected patients with severe respiratory distress syndrome and PPE measures by the personnel must be adopted to prevent the spreading of infection amongst other patients and medical personnel.
Link to abstract.