Assessment of the potential for pathogen dispersal during high-flow nasal therapy

High-flow nasal therapy is increasingly used in hospitals because of its effectiveness and patient comfort. However, pathogens in the patient's nasal and oral cavities may be dispersed by forced air. This study aimed to investigate the risk of pathogen dispersal during high-flow nasal therapy....

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Journal of hospital infection Vol. 104; no. 4; pp. 534 - 537
Main Authors Kotoda, M., Hishiyama, S., Mitsui, K., Tanikawa, T., Morikawa, S., Takamino, A., Matsukawa, T.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2020
The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd
Subjects
Air Movements
Cannula - adverse effects
Cannula - microbiology
Cross Infection
Droplet infection
Environmental Exposure - analysis
High-flow nasal therapy
Humans
Manikins
Nose
Pathogen transmission
Yeasts - isolation & purification
Pathogen transmission
Droplet infection
High-flow nasal therapy
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Summary:High-flow nasal therapy is increasingly used in hospitals because of its effectiveness and patient comfort. However, pathogens in the patient's nasal and oral cavities may be dispersed by forced air. This study aimed to investigate the risk of pathogen dispersal during high-flow nasal therapy. Liquid and bacterial dispersal were assessed via in-vitro experimental set-ups using a manikin. Thickened water or fresh yeast solution mimicked saliva and nasal mucus secretions. Dispersal was limited to the proximal area of the face and nasal cannula, suggesting that high-flow nasal therapy does not increase the risk of droplet and contact infection.
ISSN:0195-6701
1532-2939
DOI:10.1016/j.jhin.2019.11.010