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Guidance for AGMPs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Version 9 October 30, 2020
Interim Guidance for Patients Requiring an AGMP (aerosol
generating medical procedure)
During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The purpose of this document is to guide the use of Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) for all
healthcare providers in the care of patients requiring AGMPs in
the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. The
application of this document will need to be adapted to the
characteristics and point of care risk
assessment of each individual, unit and department and to the
epidemiologic presence of disease within
the community.
A Point of Care Risk Assessment must be applied to all patients,
irrespective of location.
Definition for Aerosol Generating Medical Procedures (AGMPs)
Aerosol-generating medical procedures (AGMPs) are interventions
that can produce aerosols as a result of
artificial manipulation of a person's airway. Additional
precautions over and above baseline precautions are
required when providing AGMPs.
This document outlines PPE guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic
and pertains to patients
who are suspected/probable or confirmed COVID-19 requiring
AGMPs.
Refer to the most current COVID-19 signs and symptoms reference
document found here
COVID-19 Screening Questions for all patients are assessed on
admission/presentation for care
COVID-19 Symptoms Questions for all inpatients are assessed and
documented in the electronic
health record Q shift.
Guiding Principles for Patients with Suspect, Probable or
Confirmed COVID-19
AGMPs should only be performed when medically necessary.
Treatments should be selected that
minimize aerosol or droplet generation. Ie Use MDI inhalers
rather than nebulizer treatments.
Healthcare workers and/or additional staff should not be present
in a room where an AGMP is
being performed unless it is required for patient safety. When
so, the fewest number should be
present to limit exposure/conserve PPE.
AGMPs should be performed by the most experienced health care
professional.
Use filters with respiratory apparatus when able
Appropriate PPE must be worn in the room following completion of
the AGMP to allow for air
clearance.
https://www.grhallthingscovid.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/SEM_20200206_GRH-point-of-care-risk-assessment_PPE.pdfhttps://www.grhallthingscovid.com/2020/09/29/covid-19-signs-and-symptoms/
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Guidance for AGMPs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Version 9 October 30, 2020
What is NOT an AGMP?
• Collection of nasopharyngeal or throat swab • Ventilator
circuit disconnect • Needle thoracostomy, thoracocentesis,
thoracentesis, paracentesis • Chest tube removal or insertion
(unless meets above criteria* in setting of emergent insertion for
ruptured
lung/pneumothorax – air leak) • Coughing, spontaneous
expectorated sputum • Oral/nasal suctioning, Oral hygiene •
Gastroscopy or colonoscopy or endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancreatography • Laparoscopy (gastrointestinal/pelvic) •
Cardiac stress tests • Caesarian section or vaginal delivery of
baby done with regional anaesthesia • Any procedure done with
regional or local anaesthetic • Electroconvulsive therapy •
Transesophageal echocardiogram • Nasogastric/nasojejunal
tube/gastrostomy/gastrojejunostomy/jejunostomy tube insertion •
Bronchial artery embolization • Chest physiotherapy (in the absence
of any AGMP) • Oxygen delivered at less than or equal to 6 liters
per minute by nasal prongs & less than or equal to 15 liters
per
minute by Venturi masks/non-rebreather masks • Intranasal
medication administration such as naloxone • All non-airway
surgeries with cautery, lasers, saws • Nasopharyngoscopy or
nasopharyngeal airway (e.g. trumpet) insertion • Laryngeal Mask
Airway (LMA) insertion • Nebulized medication delivery through
ventilator circuit for conventional invasive mechanical ventilation
• MDI and soft mist inhaler administration +/- spacer
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/updated-ipac-measures-COVID-19-19.pdf?la=en
What is an AGMP of relevance for COVID-19? Cardio Pulmonary
Resuscitation (CPR)
Intubation, Extubation
Manual Ventilation (bag-valve-mask Note: Use High-efficiency
viral/bacterial filter)
Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) eg CPAP, BiPAP Note: a risk
reduction is present when caring for infants on NIV in an
incubator
High Flow oxygen therapy (eg Optiflow, Airvo)
Open respiratory airway suctioning (eg, deep insertion for
nasopharyngeal or tracheal suctioning, not inclusive of oral
suction or use of an inline suction device)
Bronchoscopy (avoid if possible for high COVID-19 risk)
Induced sputum (avoid if possible for high COVID-19 risk)
Nebulized therapy/aerosolized medication Administration and
large volume nebulizers for humidity (avoid where possible)
High-frequency Oscillation ventilation/Jet ventilation
Oral, pharyngeal, transphenoidal, and airway surgeries
(including thoracic surgery and tracheostomy insertion)
Thoracotomy or open thoracostomy where air leak is likely (chest
tube insertion for trauma)
Autopsy of lung tissue or airway tissue
Post Mortem Care
Tracheostomy/Tracheotomy Care and insertion, open suctioning,
removal
Breathstacking, In/Ex-sufflation (Cough Assist), oscillating
positive expiratory pressure devices (OPEP)
Certain dental procedures including ultrasonic and sonic
scalers, high-speed dental handpieces (tooth preparation with air
abrasion, air turbine handpiece), air polishers, and air-water
syringes.
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/updated-ipac-measures-covid-19.pdf?la=en
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Guidance for AGMPs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Version 9 October 30, 2020
COVID-19 Risk Negligible COVID-19 Risk
Patient characteristics/factors
Active COVID-19 positive case until case is cleared by time or
test based approach
ARI symptoms with test
pending
Atypical COVID-19 symptoms
that MRP confirmed are not
explained by another
underlying diagnosis
COVID-19 test pending for any other reason
In additional precautions from
COVID-19 outbreak facility or in
home isolation for COVID-19 due
to exposure or travel in the last
14 days
No exposures, no symptoms
ARI symptoms with at least 1 negative COVID-19 test or lab
proven alternate diagnosis
Atypical COVID-19 symptoms that MRP confirms are explained by
underlying diagnosis (no COVID-19 test required)
Initially considered COVID-19 risk (due to symptoms), COVID-19
test returned negative and no further testing required. Note: not
applicable to COVID-19 exposed patients
Patient placement cohorting for patients
Single room or
Cohort ONLY laboratory confirmed COVID-19 positives
Any Cohorting
Room Requirements If available, Airborne infection isolation
room (AIIR) or Private room (door
closed) with HEPA filter
Any Room
Minimum PPE for Non AGMPs Refer to non AGMP list
Surgical/Procedure mask** Face/Eye Protection
Gown Gloves
Routine Practices and PPE most appropriate for clinical
condition
Minimum PPE for AGMPs Refer to the AGMP list
N95 Face/Eye Protection
Gown Gloves
Surgical/Procedure mask Face/Eye Protection
Gown Gloves
Signs for AGMP – see below for ordering information
AGMP Medical Procedure in Progress Droplet Contact plus N95
Appendix A
AGMP Medical Procedure in Progress
Droplet Contact Appendix B
**PCRA for N95 New posters for AGMPs are available through R.R.
Donnelly (Custom Point) for ordering. There are two posters – one
for AGMPs with minimal droplet contact, and one for AGMPs with
droplet contact. The posters can be ordered in packages of 5 using
the following order codes:
GRHPOS-36 Minimal Droplet Contact
GRHPOS-37 Droplet Contact N95 Required
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Guidance for AGMPs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Version 9 October 30, 2020
Appendix A: Aerosol Generating Medical Procedure in Progress
(Droplet Contact plus N95 PPE)
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Guidance for AGMPs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Version 9 October 30, 2020
Appendix B: Aerosol Generating Medical Procedure in Progress
(Droplet Contact PPE)