Healthcare worker safety of high-flow nasal oxygen and non-invasive ventilation use in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
July 26, 2020
INTRODUCTION High-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) may reduce the requirement for invasive ventilation in selected patients with respiratory failure. However, there is concern that, when used in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), both modalities may increase the risk of transmission to healthcare workers (HCW) through small droplet aerosol generation. Small droplet aerosols have the potential to remain airborne for extended periods of time, follow air currents within the room, and penetrate deep into the airways,