key: cord-0985013-32tqg21r
authors: Lim, Zheng Jie; Claydon, Jonathan
title: The use of bone conduction headsets to improve communication during the COVID‐19 pandemic
date: 2020-08-14
journal: Emerg Med Australas
DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13611
sha: bf35114fe6b719d13487b92108a50d7809ff1df5
doc_id: 985013
cord_uid: 32tqg21r

nan

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused emergency departments worldwide to anticipate and prepare for a surge in patients with respiratory symptoms. In the interest of protecting patients and healthcare workers, the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) has recommended negative pressure rooms where available for aerosol generating procedures 1 . In addition, healthcare workers are recommended to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as fit-tested N95 or higher respirators, gloves, gown and eye protection when managing these patients. 2 However, challenges in communication can occur due to physical barriers present in negative pressure rooms.

To improve communication between healthcare workers, baby monitors and walkie talkies have been used. 3, 4 However, these devices have their own limitations, such as the potential use of non-secure channels for communication, miscommunication between team utilising the same channel, and potential obstruction of radiofrequencies. 4 Within our emergency department, we have effectively utilised handsfree bone conduction headsets to facilitate communication between staff within and outside negative pressure rooms (Image 1). These headsets connect to a phone via Bluetooth and utilises bone conduction technology to facilitate phone conversations. Prior to entering a negative pressure room, healthcare workers put on and connect these headsets, and make a phone call to an external phone held by staff outside the negative pressure room.

The key benefit of bone conduction headsets is the ability for healthcare workers to simultaneously listen to the patient, monitor for bedside alarms and communicate with colleagues both within and outside the negative pressure room. These devices are nonobstructive to PPE, and do not require further adjustment once connected. Furthermore, given the use of a secure phone line and no reliance on radiofrequencies, voice clarity and patient privacy is potentially improved. The headsets used in our emergency department are water

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. resistant, allowing for these devices to be routinely cleaned without device damage.

However, an inherent disadvantage of using these headsets is the need for multiple devices for large teams, which can increase costs for the department.

Facilitating effective communication between patients and healthcare workers is vital in the current pandemic. Unlike traditional earpieces, bone conduction headsets do not prevent healthcare workers from hearing ambient noises and alarms at the patient's bedside.

With its portability and non-obstructiveness, these devices present a potential solution to improving effective communication and patient care, especially when managing patients in negative pressure rooms.

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Australasian College for Emergency Medicine

Recommendations for Application of Standard Precautions for the Care of All Patients in All Healthcare Settings

Just the Facts: Protecting frontline clinicians during the COVID-19 pandemic

Walkie talkies to aid health care workers' compliance with personal protective equipment in the fight against COVID-19

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. 

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.