Aerosol Box Use During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Cardiac Arrest and Coronavirus Protection

Recruiting at 2 trial locations

Overseen By Adam Cheng, MD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: KidSIM Simulation Program

Disqualifiers: Physical limitations, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

240 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how using an aerosol box, a protective device, during CPR can reduce the spread of germs, such as viruses, to healthcare workers. It focuses on procedures that create airborne particles, which pose risks during events like cardiac arrest, especially in COVID-19 patients. Participants will perform CPR either with or without the aerosol box to determine its effectiveness in protecting those providing critical care. Healthcare professionals involved in CPR and airway management with relevant life support certifications are well-suited for this study. As an unphased trial, it offers healthcare workers the chance to contribute to innovative safety measures in critical care settings.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that the aerosol box is safe for use during cardiopulmonary resuscitation?

Research shows that using an aerosol box during CPR might help protect healthcare workers from airborne germs, such as the virus causing COVID-19. Studies have found that the risk of spreading COVID-19 during CPR is not high, suggesting the aerosol box could be a safe tool in medical settings.

The aerosol box is designed to shield healthcare workers' faces during procedures that generate tiny droplets capable of carrying viruses. This extra protection is crucial during CPR, where close proximity among workers increases the risk of virus transmission.

While the aerosol box aims to protect healthcare workers, it is also important to ensure it does not hinder medical tasks. Current research is examining whether it affects the speed and quality of CPR. So far, no major problems have been reported from using the aerosol box, making it a promising option for enhancing safety during critical medical procedures. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the use of an aerosol box during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) because it could provide additional protection against airborne viruses like the coronavirus, which is not a feature of traditional CPR methods. Unlike standard CPR procedures, which leave healthcare providers exposed to potential viral particles, the aerosol box acts as a barrier, aiming to reduce the spread of infection. This innovative approach could enhance safety for medical teams without hindering the effectiveness of life-saving resuscitation efforts.

What evidence suggests that the aerosol box is effective for reducing contamination during CPR?

Research has shown that using an aerosol box during medical procedures can protect health care workers from harmful airborne particles. One study found that health care workers using an aerosol box experienced less contamination on their bodies during airway procedures. Another study suggested that similar devices, such as the "Resuscitation Cover All," can reduce exposure to particles released during CPR. In this trial, one group will complete the resuscitation scenario with an aerosol box, while another group will do so without it. The aerosol box could be a valuable tool for enhancing worker safety during high-risk situations, such as treating patients with COVID-19. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Adam C Cheng, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Calgary

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthcare workers who perform CPR and other airway management procedures, such as doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and physician assistants. They must be certified in Advanced Life Support or Basic Life Support. Those unable to consent or with physical limitations that prevent task performance are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

Airway Provider: Attending physician, fellow or resident in adult or pediatric emergency medicine, pediatric intensive care, general pediatrics or pediatric/adult anesthesia

I am a healthcare professional certified to perform CPR.

I am certified in Basic Life Support or Advanced Life Support.

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot do certain tasks because of my physical limitations.

Decline to provide informed consent

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training and Orientation

Participants view orientation videos and practice intubation and CPR with or without the aerosol box

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Simulation

Teams participate in two sequential simulation scenarios to evaluate the impact of aerosol box use

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the simulation

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Aerosol box

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of an aerosol box designed to protect healthcare workers from airborne particles during CPR on patients with COVID-19. It aims to understand particle dispersion during these procedures and improve infection control measures.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Aerosol Box Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The team will complete the resuscitation scenario with an Aerosol box placed.

Group II: No Aerosol Box Active Control 1 Intervention

The team will complete the resuscitation scenario without an Aerosol box placed.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

KidSIM Simulation Program

Lead Sponsor

Trials

10

Recruited

2,100+

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Collaborator

Trials

1,417

Recruited

26,550,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05868239

Impact of Aerosol Box Use During Cardiopulmonary Arrest ... Our study will provide evidence to: (a) evaluate if use of an aerosol box adversely affects time to completion and quality of critical resuscitation tasks; and ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8996458/

Effectiveness of “Resuscitation Cover All” in Minimizing ... This pilot simulation-based study shows that the novel RCA device could minimize the exposure of HCW to simulated respiratory particles during CPR.

3. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-023-39726-x

A comparative analysis of aerosol exposure and ... Surgical or N95 mask face coverings can significantly reduce aerosol exposure during bystander CPR and is quite safe if the mask is properly fit ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0300957220301593

COVID-19 in cardiac arrest and infection risk to rescuers It is uncertain whether chest compressions or defibrillation cause aerosol generation or transmission of COVID-19 to rescuers.

5. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2803733

Aerosol Box Use in Reducing Health Care Worker ... Health care practitioners using an aerosol box had significantly less contamination deposited to the torso (predoffing) across all 3 airway procedures.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7169929/

COVID-19 in cardiac arrest and infection risk to rescuers The risk of COVID-19 transmission in individuals exposed to CPR was not significant (relative risk 0.63, 95% confidence interval 0.06–7.08).

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7574003/

COVID-19 cardiopulmonary resuscitation: Guidelines and ... CPR in COVID-19 patient carries added risk to health care workers (HCWs) as it involves aerosol-generating procedures, requires many rescuers to work in close ...

8. jeccm.amegroups.org jeccm.amegroups.org/article/view/6781/html

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and risk of transmission of ... Most cardiac arrest patients requiring CPR will not have an acute respiratory infection that has a high risk of transmission to health care workers (HCWs).