Adherence with standard guidelines among doctors involved in aerosol generating procedures to control COVID-19 transmission

OBJECTIVES: To review the strategies for controlling COVID-19 transmission among doctors involved in aerosol generating procedures. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from September to November 2020, using a 21-itemed initially piloted self-administered questionnaire designed on Google forms. It was shared with doctors involved in Aerosol generating medical procedures (AGMPs) by using social media applications. After the data was collected, it was analyzed using SPSS version 21. RESULTS: A total of 136 doctors participated in the study that included 59 female and 77 male participants. Our 67 (49.3%) participants screened their patients for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 before a routine checkup. The most common disinfectant used for reusable medical equipment by 62 (45.6%) respondents was alcohol swab, 57 (41.9%) did not disinfect reusable equipment and 17 (12.5%) used Dettol water spray. CONCLUSION: Majority of the doctors involved in AGMPS are not following the guidelines provided by international and national bodies. As such adherence to guidelines can help prevent COVID19 transmission in frontline doctors especially those involved in aerosol generating procedures.