An important new randomized controlled trial will investigate the effectiveness of air filtration systems in preventing respiratory infections (such as coughs, colds and flu) and COVID-19 among residents of nursing homes in England. The AFRI-c (air filter to prevent respiratory infections in nursing homes, including COVID-19) research was funded by the National Institute of Health (NIHR) and led by researchers from the University of Bristol.

There are currently 220,000 elderly people over 65 living in nursing homes in the UK. This number is expected to double by 2040. As highlighted by the devastating impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes, reducing the spread of infection in nursing homes is the focus of research.

Many infections are spread through droplets produced when people sneezes or cough. The droplets can be sucked or picked up from the surface on which they land. Portable air filters seem to be the obvious solution to reduce the spread of infection, because those containing high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can quickly remove bacteria from the air. Over the years, they have been installed in hospital operating rooms and transplant wards to prevent infection. HEPA filters are now built into some portable devices for home use and can be placed in nursing homes with relative ease.

The trial randomly divided 74 nursing homes into two groups. The 37 nursing homes in the control group will continue routine care in accordance with local infection prevention strategies (such as hand washing). The 37 intervention nursing homes will continue routine care and place air filters in public areas and up to 10 residents' private bedrooms for a winter period (September 2021 to April 2022). The staff of the nursing home will record the number of infections their residents experience during the winter and will compare the results of the two groups.

Professor Alastair Hay, Principal Investigator of the Academic Primary Care Center of the University of Bristol, said: “Our research shows that portable air filters can remove viruses and other bacteria in the air, but there is no research to investigate its effects on human health, so AFRI-c is The first of its kind. The study also aims to understand whether the purchase and use of air filters is worthwhile.

“We are particularly interested in learning about nursing homes and nursing home chains in England, and they may be interested in helping us. Please visit the AFRI-c research website to learn more about participation.”

For more information about the trial starting this fall, please email: african-study@bristol.ac.uk

About the University of Bristol Academic Primary Care Centre

The University of Bristol Academic Primary Care Centre (CAPC) is the leading centre for primary care research in the UK and is one of the nine institutions of the NIHR School of Primary Care Research. It is located in the Bristol School of Medicine, which is an internationally recognized center of population health research and teaching excellence. Follow us on Twitter: @capcbristol

About the National Institutes of Health

The mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the country through research. We do this:

NIHR is funded by the Ministry of Health and Social Care. Its work in low-income and middle-income countries is mainly funded through British assistance from the British government.

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