Chest
Volume 125, Issue 3, March 2004, Pages 1155-1157
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Selected Reports
Dispersal of Respiratory Droplets With Open vs Closed Oxygen Delivery Masks: Implications for the Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.125.3.1155Get rights and content

Nosocomial transmission of droplet-borne respiratory infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) may be influenced by the choice of oxygen face mask. A subject inhaled saline mist and exhaled through three oxygen masks to illustrate the pattern of dispersal of pulmonary gas. In two commonly used masks, exhaled gas formed a plume emanating from the side vents, while a third mask with a valved manifold, which was modified by adding a respiratory filter, retained the droplets. Maintaining respiratory isolation during the administration of oxygen may reduce the risk of the nosocomial transmission of respiratory infections such as SARS.

Key words

droplets
nosocomial
oxygenation
oxygen mask
severe acute respiratory syndrome
ventilation

Abbreviation

SARS
severe acute respiratory syndrome

Cited by (0)

This study was funded by the Ontario Thoracic Society. Dr. Fisher and Mssrs. Vesely, Somogyi, and Preiss participated in the development of the Hi-Ox80 and receive royalties on sales.

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