Aerosol Barriers in Pediatric Anesthesiology: clinical data supports FDA caution

TG Tighe, Nathaniel; McClain, Craig D; Vlassakova, Bistra G; Cravero, Joseph P; Peyton, James M; Kovatsis, Pete G; Park, Raymond S; Stein, Mary Lyn

The COVID‐19 pandemic has prompted rapid development and deployment of a variety of unproven physical barriers intended to protect providers from aerosols generated during airway management(1,2). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially granted an umbrella emergency use authorization (EUA) for passive protective barrier enclosures on May 1, 2020. Although anecdotal evidence drove widespread adoption of these devices, there are no data we are asware of demonstrating they protect providers from infection with the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus. Furthermore, some have expressed concern about their safety and efficacy for both patients and providers(3), with particular concern that barriers may prolong intubation times and increase the risk of hypoxemia(4).