A retrospective descriptive study on usage of Aerovac- an aerosol evacuating chamber for aerosol generating medical and surgical procedures

Introduction: Many respiratory borne infections are transmitted to health care workers during aerosol generating procedures. A safe mechanism to conduct such procedures is important.

Objective: To design a safe aerosol evacuation chamber to perform multiple aerosol generating procedures and to assess the practical use of it.

Methodology: We designed an aerosol evacuation chamber with an exhaust mechanism, a novel cost-effective multi-purpose chamber, which can be used to perform a number of aerosol generating procedures of the airways, upper gastrointestinal tract and the head and neck region, without exposing health care staff to aerosols.  Exhaust from the chamber is filtered by a HEPA filter and is treated with UVG irradiation to destroy microorganisms prior to the release of air into the environment. Records of various ENT procedures performed using the Aerovac chamber was over a period of one year were retrospectively evaluated.

Results: Total of 498 procedures had been carried out. Nasal endoscopy had been the most frequently carried out procedure. Most procedures were done under local anesthesia. There were no adverse events to patients or to health care workers reported.

Conclusion: Aerovac chamber can be used to safely conduct multiple aerosol generating procedures.