In isolation protocols for suspected contagious disease, what approach should be taken regarding aerosol-generating procedures during flight?

• A. In isolation protocols for suspected contagious disease, what approach should be taken regarding aerosol-generating procedures during flight?
• B. Maximizing aerosol-generating procedures to accelerate care.
• C. Minimizing aerosol-generating procedures whenever possible.
• D. Replacing all procedures with medication only.

Answer: (B)

The essential idea is that in flight, keeping aerosol generation to a minimum is crucial to limit airborne transmission in the confined cabin. Aerosols can carry pathogens and spread more easily when ventilation is limited and space is tight, so the safest approach is to minimize aerosol-generating procedures whenever possible. This means deferring or avoiding such procedures unless they are essential for the patient’s immediate life-saving needs, and preferring non-aerosolizing alternatives when feasible (for example, using spacer-delivered inhalers instead of nebulized meds, and avoiding unnecessary airway procedures). When an aerosol-generating intervention is unavoidable, strict airborne precautions and proper PPE should be used to protect crew.