We have made the decision that CPR is an Aerosol Generating Procedure (AGP) – in agreement with the Resuscitation Council UK. Public Health England have not designated it as such so we have sent a letter about this to PHE – signed by the BMA, RCN, RCUK and HCSA.
We have also updated the website with supportive wording (copied below) and you will find it on this link https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/covid-19/your-health-and-wellbeing/covid-19-ppe-for-doctors .
CPR
We are aware of concerns that CPR is not classified as an Aerosol Generating Procedure (AGP) in Public Health England guidance.
Members of the BMA remain concerned that they are being asked to resuscitate patients without adequate protection due to a lack of national consensus on this issue.
The guidance from Resuscitation Council UK provides a clear process for both protecting patients and healthcare workers – treating CPR as an AGP.
This involves one staff member shocking the patient up to three times with a defibrillator, whilst wearing fluid resistant surgical mask, disposable apron, disposable gloves and disposable eye protection, giving others – if they are not already wearing it – time to put on full protective PPE; namely FFP3 respirator, disposable gown, disposable gloves and disposable eye protection.
Our position is that CPR should be reinstated to the list of aerosol generating procedures by PHE.
Read RCUK’s positionSome resources and useful algorithms from RCUK