High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters to Prevent Winter Respiratory Infections in Care Homes

Do portable high-efficiency particulate air filters in communal rooms and private bedrooms reduce respiratory (and other) infections in care home residents, as well as staff absenteeism? In this 2-arm cluster randomized clinical trial of 91 care homes with 1158 residents providing primary outcome data, there was no difference in the number of respiratory infections per winter per resident when care homes placed high-efficiency particulate air filters in communal rooms and private bedrooms. There was also no difference in the rates of other infections or staff absenteeism. Care homes should continue using existing recommended prevention measures to control respiratory and other infections.

Corresponding Author: Alastair D. Hay, MD, Centre for Academic Primary Care, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, 39 Whatley Rd, Bristol, Avon BS8 2PS, United Kingdom (alastair.hay@bristol.ac.uk).

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