Prevention of COVID-19 Infection in Neck Breathers, Including Laryngectomees

Brook, Itzhak

doi:10.1055/s-0040-1713140

Cited by 6 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 6 publications

(5 reference statements)

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“…Additionally, clinicians may have just been learning about specific recommendations for TL patients. E-publication of two articles detailing pandemic recommendations for TL patients occurred in April 2020 (Hennessy et al, 2020;Kligerman et al, 2020), two others in June 2020 (Brook, 2020;Zaga et al, 2020), and two more in early August 2020 (Goldstein et al, 2020;Longobardi et al, 2020). The time frame that TL respondents were asked to consider in the survey spanned approximately the same interval in which these six articles were published online.…”

Section: Clinical Visits and Contactmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical Experiences of People With a Laryngectomy During the SARS COVID-19 Pandemic

Searl

Kearney

Genoa

et al. 2021

Am J Speech Lang Pathol

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Purpose This study described the clinical experiences of patients with a total laryngectomy (TL) during the COVID-19 pandemic and identified changes in communication, tracheostoma care, and heat–moisture exchange (HME) use that were recommended or self-implemented. Method An online survey addressing the study aims was completed by 173 people with a TL who live in the United States. The survey was open from July 5 to August 10, 2020. Results In-person clinic visits, appointment cancellations, and contact from their speech-language pathologists (SLPs) were reported by 42%, 19%, and 54% of the TL respondents, respectively. At clinic visits, 78% were required to wear a mask over their nose/mouth, and 73% were required to wear a mask over their tracheostoma. Masks, gloves, and face shields worn by the SLP at these visits were reported by 84%, 82%, and 70% of the TL patients, respectively. Alaryngeal communication changes were recommended by the SLP for 7%–18% of TL patients, depending on their method of communication, whereas 43%–45% implemented changes on their own. Changes in tracheostoma care and HME use were recommended by the SLP for 27% and 21% of the TL respondents, respectively, whereas 54% and 47% made changes on their own. Conclusions Individuals with a TL will require in-person care even during a pandemic, as reflected in this study. Many had not been contacted by their SLP or otolaryngologist about TL guidelines that were becoming available. Notably, larger percentages of TL patients reported self-initiated changes to their communication, tracheostoma care, and HME use because of the pandemic than their SLP had advised. The types of communication changes varied in part, depending on the method of alaryngeal speech a respondent used. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.16807270

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Section: Clinical Visits and Contactmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical Experiences of People With a Laryngectomy During the SARS COVID-19 Pandemic

Searl

Kearney

Genoa

et al. 2021

Am J Speech Lang Pathol

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“…• Use a 3ply mask or surgical mask to cover the mouth and nose [ 6 , 9 , 10 , 14 , 18 , 27 ] and another mask to cover the stoma [ 5 , 12 ]…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…• Use of hands-free device is advisable [ 5 , 12 ] or Use of non-dominant hand for stoma occlusion [ 12 ]…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Laryngectomy bib or high neck clothing may serve the purpose [ 9 ], but the use of a surgical mask to cover the stoma is highly recommended [ 5 , 10 ]. Furthermore, it is advised to tie it in the following manner- upper strings tied around the neck and using an extender string to tie the lower strings at the back [ 11 , 12 ]. Usage of N95 mask is not recommended as it does not provide an adequate seal around the stoma [ 5 ]…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Enhanced PPE is recommended while caring for laryngectomized patients who are COVID-positive [ 5 , 10 , 17 ] while carrying out procedures with aerosol-generating procedures [ 5 , 10 ]. Enhanced PPE kit comprising of N95/FFP3/FFP2 mask with a face shield or a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR), along with gown, gloves [ 5 , 12 , 13 , 16 ] disposable caps, and shoe covers, is advisable [ 5 ]. Use of a PAPR is strongly recommended, especially while carrying out procedures that require airway manipulation [ 5 , 17 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Self-care and clinical management of persons with laryngectomy during COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review

Varghese

Aithal

Rajashekhar

2021

Support Care Cancer

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Objective To summarize guidelines on self-care and clinical management of persons with laryngectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method Articles published in electronic databases—PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINHAL with the compliant keywords—were scouted from December 2019 to November 2020. All original articles, letters to editors, reviews, and consensus statements were reviewed and included. Results In all, 20 articles that had information pertaining to self-care of persons with laryngectomy or guidelines for clinicians working with this population were identified. Four of the included studies were case reports of persons with laryngectomy who contracted the COVID-19 virus. One of the included articles was a cohort study that explored the use of telerehabilitation in persons with laryngectomy. Conclusion The hallmarks of preventative strategies for persons with laryngectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic are as follows: physical distancing, use of a three-ply mask or surgical mask to cover the mouth and nose, and use of Heat Moisture Exchange (HME) device over stoma in addition to covering it with a surgical mask or laryngectomy bib. Telerehabilitation, not a preference with this population prior to the pandemic, has gained popularity and acceptance during the COVID-19 situation. The reports of COVID-positive persons with laryngectomy have indicated contrary findings from the tracheal and nasal swabs, necessitating compulsory inclusion of both nasal and tracheal swabs.

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Usage of Heat and Moisture Exchange Devices, Virtual Visits, Masking, and Vaccinations Among People With a Laryngectomy During COVID-19

Searl

Genoa

Fritz

et al. 2023

Am J Speech Lang Pathol

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Purpose: This study described the COVID-19 risk mitigation actions of people with a total laryngectomy (TL) during the pandemic. Method: An online survey was completed by 215 people with a TL who lived in the United States. The survey was open from December 1, 2021, to January 15, 2022. Results: There was a significant increase in frequency of heat and moisture exchange (HME) device use during the pandemic compared with pre–COVID-19. Frequency of HME use was significantly greater for those who were vaccinated and those who had at least one clinical visit with their speech-language pathologist (SLP). The use of virtual visits increased from 9% pre–COVID-19 to 37% during the pandemic. Seventy percent of respondents were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with virtual visits and 51% judged them “as good as in-person.” Eighty percent were vaccinated for COVID-19 and 75% received a booster. One third reported that they did not wear mask over the face or over the tracheostoma. Twenty percent had tested positive for COVID-19 with 70% of these people requiring hospitalization. Conclusions: HME use and virtual SLP visits increased during the pandemic and the vaccination rate was high among this group of respondents. Overall, there were still large percentages of people with a TL who were not using an HME, not vaccinated, and did not wear a mask. SLPs should consider reaching out directly to their TL caseload, particularly those not yet seen during the pandemic, to support uptake of COVID-19 mitigation activities specific to people with a TL as the pandemic persists.

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Prevention of COVID-19 Infection in Neck Breathers, Including Laryngectomees

Cited by 6 publications

References 6 publications

Clinical Experiences of People With a Laryngectomy During the SARS COVID-19 Pandemic

Clinical Experiences of People With a Laryngectomy During the SARS COVID-19 Pandemic

Self-care and clinical management of persons with laryngectomy during COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review

Usage of Heat and Moisture Exchange Devices, Virtual Visits, Masking, and Vaccinations Among People With a Laryngectomy During COVID-19

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