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.