O'Mahony Hazel R, Martin Daniel S
Intensive Care Unit, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
Br J Hosp Med (Lond). 2020 Sep 2;81(9):1-9. doi: 10.12968/hmed.2020.0538. Epub 2020 Sep 18.
Guidance regarding appropriate use of personal protective equipment in hospitals is in constant flux as research into SARS-COV-2 transmission continues to develop our understanding of the virus. The risk associated with procedures classed as 'aerosol generating' is under constant debate. Current guidance is largely based on pragmatic and cautious logic, as there is little scientific evidence of aerosolization and transmission of respiratory viruses associated with procedures. The physical properties of aerosol particles which may contain viable virus have implications for the safe use of personal protective equipment and infection control protocols. As elective work in the NHS is reinstated, it is important that the implications of the possibility of airborne transmission of the virus in hospitals are more widely understood. This will facilitate appropriate use of personal protective equipment and help direct further research into the true risks of aerosolization during these procedures to allow safe streamlining of services for staff and patients.
随着对严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2（SARS-CoV-2）传播的研究不断深入，我们对该病毒的认识持续发展，医院中个人防护装备（PPE）合理使用的指南也在不断变化。被归类为“产生气溶胶”的操作所带来的风险一直存在争议。当前的指南主要基于务实和谨慎的逻辑，因为几乎没有科学证据表明与这些操作相关的呼吸道病毒会形成气溶胶并传播。可能含有活病毒的气溶胶颗粒的物理特性对个人防护装备的安全使用和感染控制方案具有影响。随着英国国家医疗服务体系（NHS）恢复选择性工作，更广泛地了解医院内病毒空气传播可能性的影响至关重要。这将有助于个人防护装备的合理使用，并有助于指导对这些操作期间气溶胶形成的真正风险进行进一步研究，从而为工作人员和患者安全简化服务流程。
