Example: Rapid Review on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for COVID-19

This rapid review was conducted to provide timely and evidence-based guidance on PPE use to healthcare workers and policymakers during the early stages of the pandemic.

Title: Rational use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for coronavirus disease (COVID-19): interim guidance

Organization: World Health Organization (WHO)

Published In: WHO interim guidance documents, 2020

Purpose: The primary aim of this rapid review was to synthesize the best available evidence on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 among healthcare workers and the general public. The review sought to provide immediate, evidence-based recommendations in response to the urgent need for guidance during the pandemic.

Key Characteristics of the Review:

1. Expedited Process: The review was conducted rapidly, within a matter of weeks, to provide timely guidance. This involved streamlined processes for literature search, selection, and synthesis.
2. Focused Scope: The review focused specifically on the effectiveness of various types of PPE (masks, gloves, gowns, face shields) in preventing COVID-19 transmission. This narrow focus helped to expedite the review process.
3. Comprehensive Search Strategy: Despite the rapid nature of the review, a comprehensive search strategy was employed to identify relevant studies. This included searching multiple databases, preprints, and grey literature to capture the most recent and relevant evidence.
4. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: Clear criteria were established to include studies that provided data on PPE effectiveness, particularly in the context of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.
5. Quality Assessment: A rapid yet rigorous assessment of the methodological quality of included studies was conducted to ensure the reliability of the evidence.
6. Synthesis and Recommendations: The evidence was synthesised quickly to produce actionable recommendations. The findings were summarised, and practical guidance was provided based on the best available evidence.

Key Findings:

• The review found strong evidence supporting the use of masks, particularly N95 respirators, in preventing the transmission of COVID-19 among healthcare workers.
• It recommended the use of surgical masks for the general public and healthcare workers when N95 respirators were not available.
• The review highlighted the importance of other PPE, such as gloves, gowns, and face shields, in providing additional protection, especially in healthcare settings.
• It emphasised the need for proper training and protocols for PPE use to maximise effectiveness.

Impact:

This rapid review provided critical, evidence-based guidance on PPE use at a time when such information was urgently needed. The WHO’s recommendations were widely disseminated and adopted by healthcare facilities and governments worldwide, helping to protect healthcare workers and the public from COVID-19. The rapid review process allowed for the timely translation of research findings into practical guidelines, which was crucial during the fast-evolving pandemic situation.

Summary:

This example demonstrates how a rapid review can be effectively used to provide timely and evidence-based guidance in urgent situations. By focusing on a specific and immediate need, employing expedited yet rigorous methods, and synthesising the best available evidence, the WHO was able to offer practical recommendations on PPE use that had a significant impact on global health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NIHR Example:

Recent Rapid Review (from NIHR journals library database 30/7/2024)

Westwood M, Armstrong N, Krijkamp E, Perry M, Noake C, Tsiachristas A & Corro-Ramos I. A cloud-based medical device for predicting cardiac risk in suspected coronary artery disease: a rapid review and conceptual economic model. Health Technol Assess 2024;28(31)

Funding: Health Technology Assessment programme (Health Technology Assessment Volume: 28, Issue: 31, Published in July 2024) https://doi.org/10.3310/WYGC4096 https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/hta/WYGC4096/#/plain-language-summary