COVID-19: community CPAP and NIV should be stopped unless medically necessary to support life
Joseph Barker, Oluwatobiloba Oyefeso, David Koeckerling, Nadeesha Lakmal Mudalige, Daniel Pan
Abstract
Dear Editor, Data from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS-CoV-1) outbreak suggest high viral load at the time of transmission is associated with worse clinical outcomes.1 Non-invasive ventilation (NIV), including CPAP, is currently listed by the WHO as a high-risk aerosol-generating procedure putting healthcare workers at risk and necessitates the use of personal protective equipment.2 3 The current UK guidance does not account for high-dose viral transmission risk to family and carers in patients using community NIV and CPAP for treatment …
Topics & Concepts
MedicineCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Transmission (telecommunications)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Personal protective equipmentIntensive care medicine2019-20 coronavirus outbreakContinuous positive airway pressureOutbreakBetacoronavirusCoronavirusEmergency medicineMedical emergencyVirologyDiseaseInternal medicineElectrical engineeringObstructive sleep apneaInfectious disease (medical specialty)EngineeringRespiratory Support and MechanismsInfection Control and VentilationClimate Change and Health Impacts