Covid 19 is here to stay and will become a way of life, till a cure or a vaccine is found.
As we emerge from Lockdown (after watching lots of webinars), we are faced with the challenge of opening our clinics.
Why do I say it’s a challenge? It is so because, we are in a ‘High Risk’ profession and can very easily get exposed to an asymptomatic Covid 19 patient.
Our professional organizations (IDA & DCI) have come out with a list of protocols to follow, from screening, treating to sanitation protocols.
One product most of you would have heard about for the first time is Extra Oral Suction. Before lockdown, the number of such machines in use was negligible in the country.
I have interacted with multiple company representatives, gone through many company brochures and reviews/research on these suctions, which are very limited in number.
What I present below is NOT a review of any products but a guide about how to go about buying an extra oral suction.
Why BUY an extra oral suction?
- To remove all the aerosols which includes blood, saliva, germs and all teeth particles.
- To filter the aerosol to make it germ free.
Basic Requirements of an extra oral suction:
- Suction hoods (aerosol collector) of different sizes should be available.
- Transparent hood for easy visibility and light transmission.
- Flexible arm, so that it can easily positioned.
- Strong and silent suction motor.
- Effective filtration unit, including HEPA 13/14 filtration, UVC filtration, plasma filtration.
- Wheeled motor unit with wheel locking.
Most commercially available Extra Oral Suctions satisfy our basic requirements, but will it satisfy the reasons for which we are buying it?
Extra oral suction has 2 functions:
First, collect all the aerosols. Every last drop of it.
Secondly, filter and make the aerosol germ-free and safe to be released back as air into the clinic.
All commercially available units will easily satisfy the second point, that is to make the aerosol germ free, using the HEPA 13/14 filter, UVC and plasma filter etc. This works on the same principle of a room air filtration unit. Very effective.
The challenge lies in collecting all those aerosols into the hood and hence into the filter.
Unlike in a room filtration unit, where the dust particles float in the air and is removed, here aerosol particles, which are heavier and settles down fast on the surface. Only some fine particles remain airborne. Herein, lies the challenge of capturing all the aerosol before it falls down on a surface.
Another problem is the force and direction of the aerosol. If the aerosol is directed in a direction opposite to that of the hood (aerosol collector), little of the aerosol can be captured by the suction.
What if the hood is made large enough? Well, it will definitely help in collecting more aerosol, but it’s size may affect the visibility and positioning of your assistant.
Should you then buy an extra oral suction?
An extra oral suction can take up space and be sure of the dimensions before you order.
You would require the various filters to be changed, some on monthly and some yearly basis. The cost and availability of such filters should be inquired.
An extra oral suction can effectively capture 90% of aerosol, specially if the aerosol is directed towards it and when it is used along with an intra oral suction. This decreases to 70% when the particle size is bigger, over 10 microns.
I would hence say, an extra oral suction which costs around Rupees 49,000 to 70,000, will definitely reduce most of your aerosols but won’t eliminate the problem completely and you would still have to clean the surfaces manually and/or through fumigation.
