“Behavioural stop smoking support may now be resumed in person, face-to-face, by following government COVID-19 guidance” according to an announcement published by the NCSCT and Public Health England.
Following meticulous analysis regarding the risk of COVID-19 transmission when performing breath tests, PHE have concluded that the risk of COVID-19 virus transmission via use of CO monitors is minimal (3).
CO monitoring is not classed as an Aerosol Generating Procedure (AGP) (3). This means the testing procedure is unlikely to result in the release of airborne particles (aerosols) from the respiratory tract (1) which can potentially contain infectious viruses such as COVID-19.
Use of infection control filters with CO monitors which has been tested by an accredited test house to prove they safely and effectively remove a high proportion of bacteria and viruses. The typical size of coronavirus particles range from 120- 160 nanometres in diameter (2), in comparison, CO monitor filters are tested with a significantly smaller virus model and have been proved to remove virus particles as small as 24 nanometres.
Not ready for face-to-face testing?
Run your stop smoking service remotely
with the new Bedfont iCOquit®
The iCOquit® is a brand new addition to the smokerlyzer range from Bedfont.
This new offering gives stop smoking services the ability to test smokers remotely and offer advice over the phone or by video call rather than at face to face appointments. The tiny device connects wirelessly to an iOS or Android device via bluetooth using the free iCOquit® app.
Smokers can provide a breath sample in the comfort and safety of their own home and share test results in a few taps with the stop smoking advisor. As well as being able to monitor their on-going progress, smokers are also motivated to kick the habit with useful advice on the app.
For more information and pricing:
Contact Joanna Finn / joanna.finn@intermedical.co.uk or call 01732 522444
Face to face CO testing during COVID-19 pandemic.
Infection Control & Safety advice video for Stop Smoking Services.
How to use and clean Bedfont Smokerlyzers & conduct tests safely during COVID-19 Pandemic (2 minutes 31 seconds)
References:
1. 6. COVID-19 infection prevention and control guidance: aerosol generating procedures [Internet]. GOV.UK. 2020 [cited 18 November 2020]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control/covid-19-infection-prevention-and-control-guidance-aerosol-generating-procedures
2. COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic | FPM [Internet]. FPM. 2020 [cited 18 November 2020]. Available from: https://www.fpm.org.uk/blog/covid-19-sars-cov-2-pandemic/
3. NCSCT – National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training [Internet]. Ncsct.co.uk. 2020 [cited 18 November 2020]. Available from: https://www.ncsct.co.uk/
