Tolerability and usability of 0.5% PVP-I gargles and nasal drops in 6692 patients: Observational study()

OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the feasibility and usability of 0.5% PVP-I gargles and nasal drops in patients attending ENT consultations for a period of 5 months as a pre requisite prior to ENT examination. 2. To assess the tolerance of 0.5% PVP-I in these patients for regular use for a period of 8 days. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Secondary care ENT Centre. METHODS: All patients attending the hospital for office ENT consultations from 15th April 2020 to 15th September 2020 were included in the study. A total of 6692 office patients were evaluated for feasibility, usability and tolerability of the 0.5% PVP-I gargles and nasal drops. RESULTS: Overall practicability of using 0.5% PVP-I gargles and nasal drops at office level was assessed in terms of feasibility and usability. Feasibility and usability was considered in terms of the ease of the dispensing method of the 0.5% PVP-I gargles and nasal drops by the health care workers to the patients prior to ENT examination. Tolerance was assessed in terms of altered taste, staining of teeth or nasal skin or irritation in the nose. None reported any serious reactions or adverse effects following use of 0.5% PVP-I. CONCLUSION: The study reports the successful feasibility and usability of 0.5% PVP-I gargles and nasal drops and bears the potential to provide benefits in preventing transmission from the patients to the health care workers and vice versa. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.