Discussion
As healthcare devise methods of upscaling service provision back to
pre-COVID levels, new methods and techniques are being deployed to
maintain productivity and safety of patients and HCPs. Such provisions
allow for the anticipated increase in attendances to emergency
departments as the public’s perceived risk of COVID-19 reduces in the
foreseeable future.
Nasendoscopy is a pre-requisite in examining patients in both
emergencies and routine outpatient clinic settings and is currently
deemed high risk, thus limiting productivity with regards to return to
normal activity levels. Our novel approach serves to provide a barrier,
which can be utilised in any clinical setting, with readily available
components. In our case all components were manufactured by
Intersurgical at a total cost of £1.78 via NHS supply chain.
Additionally, the PPEM provides a superior seal compared to conventional
surgical masks, and with certain adaptations, can examine the distal
airway through neck stomas.
In addition to serving as a barrier to patients and HCPs, application of
the PPEM will also reduce aerosolisation/ droplet exposure within the
clinical environment, reducing time for air circulation between
patients, thus increasing patient turnover. It has already been approved
by our NHS trust for implementation. In addition to the PPEM, we
advocate that clinicians should continue to adopt personal protective
equipment (PPE) whilst performing the procedure in line with government
guidance, particularly whilst more
robust and high level evidence is provided.