Transmission of Acute Respiratory Infections during Aerosol Generating Medical Procedures (AGMPs): An updated review

Abstract

1ABSTRACTObjectivesTo review the literature from 2011 until March 31st, 2020 to identify the risk of transmission of ARIs to healthcare workers caring for patients undergoing AGMPs compared with the risk of transmission when caring for patients not undergoing AGMPs.ResultsOnly two prospective cohort studies were identified meeting inclusion criteria. One found that performance or assistance with AGMP during the previous week was significantly associated with symptomatic influenza (adjusted OR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.3 to 4.2). The second study found that performance of AGMP was significantly associated with clinical respiratory infections (RR 2.9, 95% CI 1.42-5.87, p<0.01), laboratory-confirmed virus or bacteria (RR 2.9, 95% CI 1.37-6.22, p=0.01), and laboratory-confirmed virus (RR 3.3, 95% CI 1.01-11.02, p=0.05). Further evidence is needed regarding what constitutes an AGMP and the risk of ARI transmission during presumed AGMPs. Organizations need to interpret these findings with caution when establishing AGMP lists requiring airborne precautions.