Bronchoscopy is classified as an aerosol-generating procedure, but it is unclear what drives the elevated infection risk observed among healthcare personnel performing the procedure. The objective of this study was to characterize pathways through which bronchoscopists may be exposed to infectious agents during bronchoscopy procedures. Aerosol number concentrations (0.2–1 µm aerodynamic diameter) were measured using a P-Trak Ultrafine Particle Counter 8525 and mass concentrations (<10 µm) were measured using a SidePak Personal Aerosol Monitor AM510 near the head of patients during bronchoscopy procedures. Procedure pathway, number of patient coughs, number of suctioning events, number of contacts with different surfaces by the pulmonologist, and the use and doffing of personal protective equipment were recorded by the investigator on a specially designed form. Any pulmonologist performing a bronchoscopy procedure was eligible to participate. A total of 18 procedures were observed. Mean particle number and mass concentrations were not elevated during procedures relative to those measured before or after the procedure, on average, but the concentrations were highly variable, exhibiting high levels periodically. Patients frequently coughed during procedures (median 65 coughs, range: 0–565 coughs), and suctioning was commonly performed (median 6.5 suctioning events, range: 0–42). In all procedures, pulmonologists contacted the patient (mean 22.3 contacts, range: 1–48), bronchoscope (mean 19.4 contacts, range: 1–46), and at least one environmental surface (mean 31.2 contacts, range: 3–62). In the majority of procedures, the participant contacted his or her body or personal protective equipment (PPE), with a mean of 17.3 contacts (range: 4–48). More often than not, the observed PPE doffing practices differed from those recommended. Bronchoscopy procedures were associated with short-term increased ultrafine or respirable aerosol concentrations, and there were opportunities for contact transmission.

支气管镜检查被归类为气溶胶产生程序，但目前尚不清楚是什么因素导致执行该程序的医护人员发现感染风险升高。这项研究的目的是表征在支气管镜检查过程中可能使支气管镜医师暴露于传染原的途径。使用P-Trak超细颗粒计数器8525测量气溶胶浓度（0.2-1 µm空气动力学直径），使用支气管镜检查过程中靠近患者头部的SidePak Personal Aerosol Monitor AM510测量质量浓度（<10 µm）。程序路径，患者咳嗽次数，吸痰次数，肺科医师接触不同表面的次数，调查人员以特殊设计的形式记录了个人防护设备的使用和落下情况。任何执行支气管镜检查程序的肺科医师都有资格参加。总共观察到18个程序。相对于操作前后，平均而言，操作过程中平均颗粒数和质量浓度没有升高，但是浓度变化很大，周期性地表现出高水平。患者在手术过程中经常咳嗽（中度65咳嗽，范围：0–565咳嗽），并且通常进行吸痰（中度6.5吸痰事件，范围：0–42）。在所有程序中，肺科医师均与患者接触（平均22.3次接触，范围：1-48），支气管镜（平均19.4次接触，范围：1-46）和至少一个环境表面（平均31.2个接触，范围：3-62）。 。在大多数程序中，参与者接触他或她的身体或个人防护设备（PPE），平均接触17.3次（范围：4–48）。通常，观察到的PPE落纱实践与建议的有所不同。支气管镜检查程序与短期内超细或可吸入的气溶胶浓度升高有关，并且存在接触传播的机会。