Open AccessApproaching Otolaryngology Patients During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Author(s) -
Cui Chong,
Yao Qi,
Zhang Di,
Zhao Yu,
Zhang Kun,
Nisenbaum Eric,
Cao Pengyu,
Zhao Keqing,
Huang Xiaolong,
Leng Dewen,
Liu Chunhan,
Li Ning,
Luo Yan,
Chen Bing,
Casiano Roy,
Weed Donald,
Sargi Zoukaa,
Telischi Fred,
Lu Hongzhou,
Denneny James C.,
Shu Yilai,
Liu Xuezhong
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599820926144
Subject(s) - medicine , otorhinolaryngology , pandemic , covid-19 , otitis , emergency medicine , personal protective equipment , nose , tracheotomy , throat , infection control , pediatrics , medical emergency , intensive care medicine , disease , surgery , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Objective. To describe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patient presentations requiring otolaryngology consultation and provide recommendations for protective measures based on the experience of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) departments in 4 Chinese hospitals during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Study Design. Retrospective case series. Setting. Multicenter. Subjects and Methods. Twenty hospitalized COVID‐19 patients requiring ENT consultation from 3 designated COVID‐19 hospitals in Wuhan, Shanghai, and Shenzhen were identified. Data on demographics, comorbidities, COVID‐19 symptoms and severity, consult reason, treatment, and personal protective equipment (PPE) use were collected and analyzed. Infection control strategies implemented for ENT outpatients and emergency room visits at the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University were reported. Results. Median age was 63 years, 55% were male, and 95% were in severe or critical condition. Six tracheotomies were performed. Posttracheotomy outcomes were mixed (2 deaths, 2 patients comatose, all living patients still hospitalized). Other consults included epistaxis, pharyngitis, nasal congestion, hyposmia, rhinitis, otitis externa, dizziness, and tinnitus. At all hospitals, powered air‐supply filter respirators (PAPRs) were used for tracheotomy or bleeding control. PAPR or N95‐equivalent masks plus full protective clothing were used for other complaints. No inpatient ENT providers were infected. After implementation of infection control strategies for outpatient clinics, emergency visits, and surgeries, no providers were infected at the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University. Conclusions and Relevance. COVID‐19 patients require ENT consultation for many reasons, including tracheotomy. Otolaryngologists play an indispensable role in the treatment of COVID‐19 patients but, due to their work, are at high risk of exposure. Appropriate protective strategies can prevent infection of otolaryngologists.