A properly fitted respirator device (e.g., N95 masks) is an important piece of personal protective equipment. With the COVID-19 pandemic, there is greater interest in how well filtering respirator devices fit when a person has facial hair — like a beard, moustache, or sideburns. This report looks at the evidence regarding facial hair and respirator […]
A shortage of N95 respirator masks is being experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, various strategies are being explored and suggested to increase the availability of N95 masks in this time of shortage, such as the extended use of N95 respirator masks, use of the masks past their shelf lives, methods for sterilizing […]
This Rapid Response review looked for clinical evidence and evidence-based guidelines on ventilation-perfusion imaging for diagnosing pulmonary embolism during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the procedure often induces coughing in patients, there are concerns about its potential role in transmitting COVID-19 infection from patients to health care providers. However, no relevant evidence or evidence-based guidelines were […]
Wearable devices — such as watches, arm bands, and patches — may help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Wearable technologies could improve early symptom detection, especially through close monitoring of contacts . They may also safely monitor patients from a distance and limit health care worker exposure. This bulletin explores different wearable technologies in the […]
This Health Technology Update newsletter describes patient helmets, also known as “helmet masks,” and their potential use in COVID-19 infection control. These helmets are designed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission from infected patients to health care providers and other patients. The newsletter provides a background to the technology, target populations, cost and availability, […]
This report reviews evidence related to airflow transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the risk associated with the use of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. A targeted literature review along with a multidisciplinary expert panel discussion were the primary approaches to examine the evidence. More robust, published, peer-reviewed evidence is […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the widespread use of virtual visits, demonstrating that care can be delivered effectively through virtual means. As the risk of transmission and exposure to the virus remain, and as patient demand for virtual access to health care providers is unlikely to abate over the immediate term and beyond, the health […]
CADTH conducted a Rapid Response report to search for evidence regarding the comparative clinical effectiveness of face shields (made from varying materials or of varying designs) in preventing infections such as COVID-19. In addition, a search was conducted for evidence-based guidelines for the use of face shields in outdoor or winter settings. No relevant literature […]
Elderly residents of long-term care homes in Canada have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 80% of COVID-19‒related deaths in Canada being linked to residents of long-term care facilities. This document provides an overview of the available guidance on infection prevention and control in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. […]
The urgency of limiting the spread of COVID-19 remains a significant challenge for many jurisdictions across Canada. The utilization of contact tracing apps is being explored as a public health tool in order to help prevent further spread of the disease by tracking those who have been confirmed or assessed as likely to be carriers […]
CADTH conducted a Rapid Response report to search for evidence on the clinical effectiveness of COVID-19 testing for all new admissions to correctional facilities, as well as the clinical effectiveness of mass testing (i.e., testing everyone within the correctional facility for COVID-19). CADTH also searched for any evidence-based guidelines on these topics. However, no relevant […]
CADTH conducted a Rapid Response search for evidence-based guidelines regarding contact tracing for people who have been in contact with a person with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). No relevant evidence-based guidelines were identified; therefore, no conclusions can be drawn. Note that a list of potentially relevant citations can be […]
This Rapid Response review aimed to identify available evidence on the clinical effectiveness of portable or temporary negative pressure rooms and related evidence-based guidelines for the management of people with active tuberculosis. The review included a search for relevant studies on COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. As no relevant studies or guidelines on this topic […]
CADTH conducted a Rapid Response search for evidence-based guidelines regarding infection prevention or control measures in mental health treatment facilities. No relevant evidence-based guidelines were identified; therefore, no conclusions can be drawn based on this review. Note that a list of other potentially relevant citations can be found in the report’s Appendix. Link to Report […]
No literature was identified regarding the clinical effectiveness of pre-dental treatment mouth rinses for patients with suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome or coronavirus disease. Additionally, no evidence-based guidelines were identified regarding the use of pre-dental treatment mouth rinses in patients with suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome or coronavirus disease. Link to Report Pre-Treatment Mouth Rinses […]
One non-randomized study was identified regarding the lifespan of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on different materials. No clinical evidence was identified regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission via materials. Link to Report SARS-CoV-2 Longevity on and Transmission via Materials: Evidence
This report reviewed the available literature on the lifespan of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on different materials, as well as its potential for transmission via these materials. One non-randomized study was identified, which reported that SARS-CoV-2 was viable on plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours, on copper for up […]
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CADTH looked for studies on hand washing for health care workers to reduce the transmission of infection. One systematic review and one non-randomized study were identified regarding the clinical effectiveness of hand washing with soap and water compared with hand sanitization solutions. Three evidence-based guidelines were identified regarding the […]
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CADTH looked for studies on the effectiveness of masks to protect clinicians and health care workers from hospital-acquired infections during aerosol-generating ear, nose, and throat procedures. The review found no relevant studies or guidelines on this specific topic. Note, however, that all masks for medical use must undergo an […]
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CADTH looked for studies on the effectiveness of masks to protect dental clinicians from acquired infections during aerosol-generating dental procedures. One non-randomized study on the clinical effectiveness of masks was identified. No relevant evidence-based guidelines on this topic were found. Note, however, that all masks for medical use must […]
This report summarizes the abstracts of studies on non-manual room disinfection methods for preventing hospital-acquired infections. It might be of interest to those making decisions on how to disinfect rooms where COVID-19 patients have been treated. The included studies investigated products and devices that use ultraviolet light, hydrogen peroxide vapour, and copper for room disinfection. […]
This bulletin (2017) reviewed five environmental disinfection measures that may supplement standard cleaning and disinfection strategies: blue-violet light disinfection for hospital rooms, a pulsed-xenon UV light disinfection system for hospital rooms, a countertop UV-C light disinfection system for mobile devices, antimicrobial compressed salt for high-touch surfaces, and shark skin-like micropatterned surfaces to reduce bacterial adhesion. […]
This report evaluated the evidence for the installation of antimicrobial copper surfaces as an infection control mechanism in health care settings. Limited evidence was found at the time of publication (2015); confirmation of a sustained reduction in infection rates over time and the cost-effectiveness of replacing existing surfaces with antimicrobial copper surfaces in Canadian health […]
The COVID-19 pandemic puts health care workers treating COVID-19 patients at risk of becoming infected themselves. CADTH previously conducted a systematic review to evaluate the evidence for the risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections to health care workers caring for patients undergoing aerosol-generating procedures. Very low-quality evidence suggested that some aerosol-generating procedures were associated […]
CADTH previously conducted a systematic review to evaluate resource use and economic considerations related to physical interventions aimed at interrupting or reducing the spread of respiratory viruses. Such interventions include screening at points of entry, isolation, quarantine, social distancing, barriers, personal protection (e.g., wearing masks, gloves, and gowns), and hand hygiene. This report may be […]