Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in primary and community care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), can be spread by droplets or aerosols, particularly through direct or close contact and aerosol generating procedures (AGPs).1 Supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE)2 are limited, raising uncertainties in clinical judgement about the balance between benefit (to the patient) and risk (to the healthcare worker) during medical procedures, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) undertaken without adequate protection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lack of PPE has caused intense anxiety in view of the increased number of deaths in healthcare workers including in primary and community care.2 CPR can be a complex intervention comprising airway management, ventilation, chest compressions, drug therapy, and defibrillation.3 While the intubation component of CPR is almost universally classified as an AGP, there is controversy around the risk of chest compression (to the person performing it, and to other staff and bystanders).4 Risks to healthcare workers will vary depending on the setting where such individuals work (primary or community care versus hospital-based care); and whether the individual works in an environment where …