Scotland updates infection control with new aerosol evidence
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Researchers in Scotland and England used data from the AERATOR study to change how healthcare facilities manage the spread of respiratory diseases.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Bristol and Bristol NHS Foundation Trust investigated whether common medical procedures created significant amounts of aerosol particles, which spread infection.
The team employed a device called PLUME to measure aerosol production during procedures in operating rooms, discovering that many procedures once thought to be high-risk actually produced fewer aerosols than coughing or talking. Based on these findings and other research, Public Services Delivery Scotland issued new guidance for infection prevention and control. This guidance shifts from focusing on specific procedures to assessing risk based on the type of infection, a patient’s symptoms, and potential exposure for healthcare workers.
The change eliminates the term “aerosol-generating procedure” from risk assessments and will alter how personal protective equipment is used in Scotland’s healthcare settings. Wales has since adopted Scotland’s updated approach. While England removed some procedures from its high-risk list, it has not yet abandoned the list entirely. Experts at the University of Bristol emphasized the unusual speed with which the research influenced national policy, highlighting the importance of proportionate infection control measures and collaborative research.
