Consensus of precaution in respiratory care for COVID-19 positive patients with muscular dystrophies or severe physical and intellectual disabilities, neuromuscular disorders

As a precaution against COVID-19 infection, it is important to avoid inadequate ventilation, crowding, and close contact However, it is difficult for patients with neuromuscular disorders such as muscular dystrophies and severe physical and intellectual disabilities to comply with The reason is because they require assistance in daily life and medical care, so many caregivers and medical staff are involved both at home and hospitals/facilities Therefore, these patients are not only at high risk of contracting infection through caregivers, but also can generate cluster when they are infected Particularly in patients undergoing respiratory care such as non-invasive ventilation or respiratory physiotherapy, there is high possibility to produce massive aerosols through these treatments Thus, for COVID-19 infected patients, more attentions are required to prevent the spread of the infection We described the general precaution that should be considered when patients requiring respiratory care are infected with COVID-19, and important implementation factors to be considered © 2020 Japanese Society of National Medical Services All rights reserved