Risk of Transmitting COVID-19 During Nebulizer Treatment: A Living Ultra-Rapid Review

Prepared by: Evidence-based Synthesis Program (ESP) Center Durham VA Healthcare System Durham, NC Jennifer M. Gierisch, PhD, MPH, Co-Director Karen M. Goldstein, MD, MSPH, Co-Director Recommended citation: Goldstein KM, Ghadimi K, Mystakelis H, Kong Y, Meng T, Cantrell S, Von Isenburg M, Gordon AM, Ear B, Gierisch JM, Williams JW, Risk of Transmitting COVID-19 During Nebulizer Treatment. Washington, DC: Evidence Synthesis Program, Health Services Research and Development Service, Office of Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs. VA ESP Project #09-010; 2020.

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Objectives

Patients with viral respiratory infections often benefit from the administration of aerosolized medications by nebulizer. However, it is uncertain if receipt of nebulized medications increases droplet or aerosol production with associated transmission of viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. Health care systems and providers have an urgent need to understand the risk of viral transmission during nebulizer treatments for patients presenting with presumed or confirmed cases of COVID-19. To that end, we conducted this ultra-rapid review to address the following key question: What is the risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2, SARS, MERS, and influenza with administration of drugs via nebulizer?

Key Question

What is the risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2, SARS, MERS, and influenza with administration of drugs via nebulizer?

See also

Goldstein K, Ghadimi K, Mystakelis H, et al. Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus Disease 2019 During Nebulizer Treatment: A Systematic Review. Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery. Published online April 21, 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.1089/jamp.2020.1659.

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