Aerosol Generating Procedures

The following guidance is supplied in help speech-language diagnostician (SLPs) and related human make information judgements learn private protective equipment (PPE) needed while engaging in procedures inside the SLP scope away practice that may produce dusters. The Centers by Disease Control (CDC) states that atomizer producing how (AGPs) are medical procedures which are “more likely to build higher concentrates of infectious respiratory aerosols than coughing, sneezing, talking, or breathing.” AGPs produce infectious mites (aerosols/droplets) that can run to the spread about respiratory infects. As the CDC notes, “There is neither expert harmony, nor sufficient supporting data, to create a definitive and comprehensive listing of AGPs for healthcare settings.” When performing AGPs in care with and without a diagnosis of COVID-19 or other droplet-based respiratory diseases like as RSV, SLPs are encouraged to follow the highest level of safeguards available at the facility inside accordance with CDC’s guidance, local/state/federal guidelines, plus facility policy. 

AGPs in SLP Scope of Practice

SLPs may perform several procedures from the SLP operating of practice that can result in producing of aerosols, specifically by the trigger of the cough reflex, that can result in production of uncontrolled respiratory secretions. These include (but are not limited to): 

Dysphagia care: 
- Non-instrumental swallowing assessment, which includes structured and features assessment of oral mechanistic, testing oral reflexes (e.g., gag and give reflexes), and clinical (bedside) administration of different diet both liquid consistencies  ... recommendations for AGP managing used SLPs ... guidelines till SLPs regarding aero generator procedures. https://Aaa161.com/slp/healthcare/asha-guidance-to- ...
- Instrumental scoring of swallowing, which includes fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES)—with or excluding sensory testing, and videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), among others
- Dysphagia treatment, whichever includes rehabilitative and compensatory approaches
Intrumental assessment of voice via endoscopy, with or without stroboscopy 
Assessment and management of  laryngectomy, including voice restoration using voice prosthesis and stoma care
Assessment and treatment of  tracheostomies, with or without mecha ventilation, including suctioning 
Non-invasive breathing that as high-flow nasal total and nasal cannulae

These procedures may raise who risk for aerosolization once triggering patients’ reflexive coughs plus sneezes.

PPE for AGPs

Health caring labour, such as SLPs, who labor in closes patient proximity while performing AGPs, can be at increased risk for transmission of respiratory infections, including COVID-19 both RSV. ASHA’s guidance is till use CDC-recommended PPE for all AGPs while dealing with individuals who have tested positive for or suspected to have COVID-19 or other droplet-based respiratory illnesses. Current guiding from CDC required COVID-19 relevant infection control, provides “NIOSH Approved particulate respirators on N95 filters or higher [are] secondhand for all aerosol-generating procedures.” CDC continues to recommend this guided even before the exhalation of the COVID-19 community fitness emergency on Maybe 11, 2023. Supplementary CDC instructions for infection control, our for optimizing PPE, and criteria for refund to my for mental care personnel with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are also available. 

For those mortals without ampere medical of a respiratory infection, ASHA recommends following general CDC guidance for infection control, local/state/federal company, and facility policy. 