Aerosol-Generating Procedures and Virus Transmission

Respir Care. 2022 Aug;67(8):1022-1042. doi: 10.4187/respcare.10160. Epub 2022 Apr 6.

Abstract

During the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, many respiratory therapies were classified as aerosol-generating procedures. This categorization resulted in a broad range of clinical concerns and a shortage of essential medical resources for some patients. In the past 2 years, many studies have assessed the transmission risk posed by various respiratory care procedures. These studies are discussed in this narrative review, with recommendations for mitigating transmission risk based on the current evidence.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aerosols
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / prevention & control
  • Pandemics* / prevention & control
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Aerosols