Dispersal of respiratory droplets with open vs closed oxygen delivery masks: implications for the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome.
Nosocomial transmission of droplet-borne respiratory infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) may be influenced by the choice of oxygen face mask. A subject inhaled saline mist and exhaled through three oxygen masks to illustrate the pattern of dispersal of pulmonary gas. In two commonly used masks, exhaled gas formed a plume emanating from the side vents, while a third mask with a valved manifold, which was modified by adding a respiratory filter, retained the droplets. Maintaining respiratory isolation during the administration of oxygen may reduce the risk of the nosocomial transmission of respiratory infections such as SARS.
University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, Canada.
Ron
R
Somogyi
Alex E
AE
Vesely
Takafumi
T
Azami
David
D
Preiss
Joseph
J
Fisher
Joe
J
Correia
Robert A
RA
Fowler
D000336:Aerosols; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000635:transmission*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008397:Masks; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000635:transmission*
D000336:Aerosols