scholarly journals Reusable respirators as personal protective equipment during ENT surgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (8) ◽  
pp. 732-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Patel ◽  
J C Hardman ◽  
W Yang ◽  
A Robson ◽  
G Putnam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Neck Surgery ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Collective Experience ◽  
Cost Effective Alternative ◽  
Single Use

AbstractBackgroundRobust personal protective equipment is essential in preventing the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 to head and neck surgeons who are routinely involved in aerosol generating procedures.ObjectiveThis paper describes the collective experience, across 3 institutes, of using a reusable half-face respirator in 72 head and neck surgery cases.MethodCost analysis was performed to demonstrate the financial implications of using a reusable respirator compared to single-use filtering facepiece code 3 masks.ConclusionThe reusable respirator is a cost-effective alternative to disposable filtering facepiece code 3 respirators. Supplying reusable respirators to individual staff members may increase the likelihood of them having appropriate personal protective equipment during their clinical duties.

THE EFFICACY OF RADPAD AS A RADIATION PROTECTION TOOL IN CT FLUOROSCOPY GUIDED LUNG BIOPSIES

2020 ◽  
Vol 191 (3) ◽  
pp. 328-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Lawson ◽  
Ahilan Kuganesan ◽  
Georgia Parry ◽  
Mohamed Khaldoun Badawy
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Dose ◽  
Dose Reduction ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Computed Tomography Fluoroscopy ◽  
Effective Option ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Lung Biopsies

Abstract Computed tomography fluoroscopy is now the preferred technique for percutaneous lung biopsies. However, concern regarding operator and patient radiation dose remains, which warrants further exploration into dose optimisation tools. This phantom-study aims to assess the dose reduction capabilities of RADPAD, a single-use patient drape designed to decrease staff exposure to scattered radiation. Dosemeters at the waist and eye levels were used to determine the whole-body and lens exposure during simulated lung biopsy procedures while using RADPAD and other combinations of personal protective equipment. RADPAD resulted in a 36% and 38% dose reduction for whole-body and eye exposure, respectively. However, when used in combination with radioprotective eyewear and aprons, RADPAD did not reduce the radiation dose further. Consequently, the use of standard personal protective equipment is a more cost-effective option for staff dose reduction. RADPAD is useful in the reduction of radiation dose to unprotected regions.

scholarly journals Implementing a Massive Personal Protective Equipment Education—A Multidisciplinary Team Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s280-s281
Author(s):  
Mayar Al Mohajer ◽  
Megan Fischer ◽  
Melissa Rouse ◽  
Takei Pipkins ◽  
John Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Education ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Just In Time ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Online Video ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team Approach

Background: Personal protective equipment (PPE) is defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against infectious materials. They include gloves, gowns, masks, respirators, googles and face shields. The CDC has issued guidelines on appropriateness of when, what, and how to use PPE. Despite these guidelines, compliance with PPE remains challenging. Methods: We implemented a massive hospital-wide rapid education program on PPE donning and doffing of all employees and staff. This program included an online video, return demonstration and just-in-time training. To develop the program, we recorded PPE training video, reviewed PPE validation checklist, developed new isolation precaution signage with quick response (QR) code to video, developed a nutrition tray removal video and a equipment cleaning video, developed family and visitor guidelines for isolation precautions, and created an audit tool for PPE donning and doffing practices. The program required interdisciplinary collaboration including administration, infection prevention, nursing education, central supply, environmental services, facility maintenance, and security. Results: The first phase of the program was implemented through 30 separate 4-hour PPE skills fair offered over 48 hours. In total, 500 staff members were trained in the first 48 hours; 6 additional 3-hour sessions were provided on site in the following 3 month. Additionally, training was provided in off-site clinics, physician leadership meetings, new-hire orientation for nursing staff, and monthly resident and fellow training through graduate medical education. As needed, training was provided by infection prevention, nursing education, and floor nurses. In total, 5,237 staff members were trained within 3 months after implementation. Actual audit results (50 audits per week) showed improved and sustained compliance to >94%. Conclusions: A massive hospital-wide educational program including online video, return demonstration, and just-in-time training is a feasible and very effective method to improve compliance with PPE donning and doffing. A multidisciplinary team approach, administration support, and continuous education and audits are key factors in successful implementation.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

scholarly journals Ultraviolet-C as a Viable Reprocessing Method for Disposable Masks and Filtering Facepiece Respirators

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 801
Author(s):  
Talita Nicolau ◽  
Núbio Gomes Filho ◽  
Andrea Zille
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Multiple Methods ◽  
Ultraviolet C ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Uv C ◽  
New Strategies

In normal conditions, discarding single-use personal protective equipment after use is the rule for its users due to the possibility of being infected, particularly for masks and filtering facepiece respirators. When the demand for these protective tools is not satisfied by the companies supplying them, a scenario of shortages occurs, and new strategies must arise. One possible approach regards the disinfection of these pieces of equipment, but there are multiple methods. Analyzing these methods, Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) becomes an exciting option, given its germicidal capability. This paper aims to describe the state-of-the-art for UV-C sterilization in masks and filtering facepiece respirators. To achieve this goal, we adopted a systematic literature review in multiple databases added to a snowball method to make our sample as robust as possible and encompass a more significant number of studies. We found that UV-C’s germicidal capability is just as good as other sterilization methods. Combining this characteristic with other advantages makes UV-C sterilization desirable compared to other methods, despite its possible disadvantages.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physicians Working in the Head and Neck Field

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (01) ◽  
pp. e150-e159
Author(s):  
Rui Imamura ◽  
Ricardo F. Bento ◽  
Leandro L. Matos ◽  
William N. William ◽  
Gustavo N. Marta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Outpatient Care ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Psychological Burden ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Third

Abstract Background With the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinical practice of physicians who work in the head and neck field in Brazil dropped dramatically. The sustained impact of the pandemic is not known. Methods An anonymous online survey was distributed to Brazilian otolaryngologists, head and neck surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, asking about their clinical practice in the third to fourth months of the pandemic. Results The survey was completed by 446 specialists. About 40% reported reduction of more than 75% in outpatient care. A reduction of 90% to 100% in airway endoscopies was reported by 50% of the responders, and the same rate of reduction regarding surgeries (pediatric or nasosinusal) was reported by 80% of them. Family income decreased by 50%, and the psychological burden on physicians was considerable. The availability of personal protective equipment and safety precautions were limited, especially in the public sector. Conclusion COVID-19 is still impacting the head and neck field, and safety concerns may hinder the prompt resumption of elective care.

scholarly journals Portable negative pressure environment to protect staff during aerosol-generating procedures in patients with COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e000653
Author(s):  
James Nilson ◽  
Nikolay Bugaev ◽  
Pavan Sekhar ◽  
Haracio Hojman ◽  
Luis Gonzalez-Ciccarelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Negative Pressure ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Cost Effective Method

Patients with COVID-19 often need therapeutic interventions that are considered high aerosol-generating procedures. These are either being performed by healthcare providers with potentially inadequate personal protective equipment or the procedures are being delayed until patients clear their viral load. Both scenarios are suboptimal. We present a simple, cost-effective method of creating a portable negative pressure environment using equipment that is found in most hospitals to better protect healthcare providers and to facilitate more timely care for patients with COVID-19.

scholarly journals Covid-19 and the N95 respirator shortage: Closing the gap

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 958-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Nogee ◽  
Anthony J. Tomassoni
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Closing The Gap

AbstractDue to extreme shortages of personal protective equipment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare workers will be forced to recycle protective masks intended for disposal after a single use. We propose investigating the use of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation to sterilize masks of SARS-CoV-2 for safer reuse.

scholarly journals 3D Printing to Support the Shortage in Personal Protective Equipment Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostapha Tarfaoui ◽  
Mourad Nachtane ◽  
Ibrahim Goda ◽  
Yumna Qureshi ◽  
Hamza Benyahia
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Medical Devices ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Tract Infections

Currently, the emergence of a novel human coronavirus disease, named COVID-19, has become a great global public health concern causing severe respiratory tract infections in humans. Yet, there is no specific vaccine or treatment for this COVID-19 where anti-disease measures rely on preventing or slowing the transmission of infection from one person to another. In particularly, there is a growing effort to prevent or reduce transmission to frontline healthcare professionals. However, it is becoming an increasingly international concern respecting the shortage in the supply chain of critical single-use personal protective equipment (PPE). To that scope, we aim in the present work to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest 3D printing efforts against COVID-19, including professional additive manufacturing (AM) providers, makers and designers in the 3D printing community. Through this review paper, the response to several questions and inquiries regarding the following issues are addressed: technical factors connected with AM processes; recommendations for testing and characterizing medical devices that additively manufactured; AM materials that can be used for medical devices; biological concerns of final 3D printed medical parts, comprising biocompatibility, cleaning and sterility; and limitations of AM technology.

scholarly journals A Predictive Model of the Temperature-Dependent Inactivation of Coronaviruses

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Te Faye Yap ◽  
Zhen Liu ◽  
Rachel A. Shveda ◽  
Daniel Preston
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Dependent Inactivation ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Thermal Sterilization ◽  
Uncertain Future ◽  
Risk Infection

The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed healthcare systems and supply lines, forcing medical doctors to risk infection by decontaminating and reusing medical personal protective equipment intended only for a single use. The uncertain future of the pandemic is compounded by limited data on the ability of the responsible virus, SARS-CoV-2, to survive across various climates, preventing epidemiologists from accurately modeling its spread. However, a detailed thermodynamic analysis of experimental data on the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses can enable a fundamental understanding of their thermal degradation that will help mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic and future outbreaks. This paper introduces a thermodynamic model that synthesizes existing data into an analytical framework built on first principles, including the Arrhenius equation and the rate law, to accurately predict the temperature-dependent inactivation of coronaviruses. The model provides much-needed thermal sterilization guidelines for personal protective equipment, including masks, and will also allow epidemiologists to incorporate the lifetime of SARS-CoV-2 as a continuous function of environmental temperature into models forecasting the spread of coronaviruses across different climates and seasons.

scholarly journals A Predictive Model of the Temperature-Dependent Inactivation of Coronaviruses

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Te Faye Yap ◽  
Zhen Liu ◽  
Rachel A. Shveda ◽  
Daniel Preston
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Virus Concentration ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Dependent Inactivation ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Uncertain Future ◽  
Thermal Decontamination

The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed healthcare systems and supply lines, forcing medical doctors to risk infection by decontaminating and reusing single-use medical personal protective equipment. The uncertain future of the pandemic is compounded by limited data on the ability of the responsible virus, SARS-CoV-2, to survive across various climates, preventing epidemiologists from accurately modeling its spread. However, a detailed thermodynamic analysis of experimental data on the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses can enable a fundamental understanding of their thermal degradation that will help model the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate future outbreaks. This paper introduces a thermodynamic model that synthesizes existing data into an analytical framework built on first principles, including the rate law and the Arrhenius equation, to accurately predict the temperature-dependent inactivation of coronaviruses. The model provides much-needed thermal decontamination guidelines for personal protective equipment, including masks. For example, at 70 °C, a 3-log (99.9%) reduction in virus concentration can be achieved in ≈ 3 minutes and can be performed in most home ovens without reducing the efficacy of typical N95 masks. The model will also allow for epidemiologists to incorporate the lifetime of SARS-CoV-2 as a continuous function of environmental temperature into models forecasting the spread of coronaviruses across different climates and seasons.

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