Effectiveness of SplashGuard Caregivers prototype in reducing the risk of aerosol transmission in intensive care unit rooms of SARS-CoV-2 patients: a prospective and simulation study.

BACKGROUND: The contagiousness of SARS-CoV-2 is known to be linked to the emission of bioaerosols. Thus, clinical patient manipulation called "aerosol-generating procedures" (AGP) could increase the risk of healthcare worker (HCW) developing an infection.

AIM: To investigate the impact of an aerosol protection box, the SplashGuard Caregivers (SGGC) with suction system, by direct analysis of the presence of viral particles after an AGP and by using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation method.

METHODS: Prospective observational study including the HCW in charge of SARS-CoV-2 patient admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Room patients analysed were divided in: SGCG present and absent. Virus detection was performed through direct analysis and a CFD model to simulate the movement dynamics of airborne particles produced by a patient's respiratory activities.

FINDINGS: Of the 67 analyses performed, 3 samples were qPCR positive: one out of 33 analyses in the SCCG group (3%) and 2 out of 34 analyses in the no SGCG group (:5.9%). CFD simulations showed that: (1) the addition of a SGCG with reduced gaps could decrease the number of emitted particles remaining airborne within the room by up to 70%; (2) positioning the HCW airway in the opposite direction to the main airflow would also reduce its exposure.

CONCLUSIONS: This study document the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on caregivers in negative pressure ICU room of an infected patient with or without the use of SGCG. The simulation provides help in the design improvement of SGCG and the caregivers positioning in the room.