scholarly journals COVID-19 global pandemic planning: Dry heat incubation and ambient temperature fail to consistently inactivate SARS-CoV-2 on N95 respirators

2020 ◽  
pp. 153537022097781
Author(s):  
Douglas J Perkins ◽  
Robert A Nofchissey ◽  
Chunyan Ye ◽  
Nathan Donart ◽  
Alison Kell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Dry Heat ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Individual Site ◽  
Pandemic Planning ◽  
N95 Respirators

The ongoing pandemic of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has placed a substantial strain on the supply of personal protective equipment, particularly the availability of N95 respirators for frontline healthcare personnel. These shortages have led to the creation of protocols to disinfect and reuse potentially contaminated personal protective equipment. A simple and inexpensive decontamination procedure that does not rely on the use of consumable supplies is dry heat incubation. Although reprocessing with this method has been shown to maintain the integrity of N95 respirators after multiple decontamination procedures, information on the ability of dry heat incubation to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 is largely unreported. Here, we show that dry heat incubation does not consistently inactivate SARS-CoV-2-contaminated N95 respirators, and that variation in experimental conditions can dramatically affect viability of the virus. Furthermore, we show that SARS-CoV-2 can survive on N95 respirators that remain at room temperature for at least five days. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that dry heat incubation procedures and ambient temperature for five days are not viable methods for inactivating SARS-CoV-2 on N95 respirators for potential reuse. We recommend that decontamination procedures being considered for the reuse of N95 respirators be validated at each individual site and that validation of the process must be thoroughly conducted using a defined protocol.

scholarly journals COVID-19 global pandemic planning: Decontamination and reuse processes for N95 respirators

2020 ◽  
Vol 245 (11) ◽  
pp. 933-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas J Perkins ◽  
Steven Villescas ◽  
Terry H Wu ◽  
Timothy Muller ◽  
Steven Bradfute ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Operating Room ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Environmental Controls ◽  
Creative Solutions ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
N95 Respirators ◽  
Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an illness caused by a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease was first identified as a cluster of respiratory illness in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019, and has rapidly spread across the globe to greater than 200 countries. Healthcare providers are at an increased risk for contracting the disease due to occupational exposure and require appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including N95 respirators. The rapid worldwide spread of high numbers of COVID-19 cases has facilitated the need for a substantial supply of PPE that is largely unavailable in many settings, thereby creating critical shortages. Creative solutions for the decontamination and safe reuse of PPE to protect our frontline healthcare personnel are essential. Here, we describe the development of a process that began in late February 2020 for selecting and implementing the use of hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) as viable method to reprocess N95 respirators. Since pre-existing HPV decontamination chambers were not available, we optimized the sterilization process in an operating room after experiencing initial challenges in other environments. Details are provided about the prioritization and implementation of processes for collection and storage, pre-processing, HPV decontamination, and post-processing of filtering facepiece respirators. Important lessons learned from this experience include, developing an adequate reserve of PPE for effective reprocessing and distribution, and identifying a suitable location with optimal environmental controls (i.e. operating room). Collectively, information presented here provides a framework for other institutions considering decontamination procedures for N95 respirators. Impact statement There is a critical shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) around the globe. This article describes the safe collection, storage, and decontamination of N95 respirators using hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV). This article is unique because it describes the HPV process in an operating room, and is therefore, a deployable method for many healthcare settings. Results presented here offer creative solutions to the current PPE shortage.

scholarly journals Decontamination methods of personal protective equipment for repeated utilization in medical/surgical settings

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (34) ◽  
pp. 27-39
Author(s):  
Abdurrahman Kharbat ◽  
Adin Mizer ◽  
Mimi Zumwalt
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
Medical Supplies ◽  
Policy Statements ◽  
Repeated Use ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
N95 Respirators ◽  
Made In

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected citizens and healthcare workers worldwide due to a number of important factors. The transmission of the SARS CoV-2 microorganism, the pathogen that causes COVID-19 infection, occurs through droplet and aerosol spread due to coughs and sneezes from infected patients. A panicked public began hoarding medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE), leaving healthcare workers to care for patients without adequate protection. A literature review was conducted to better understand the options available to hospital and healthcare system administrators as they develop necessary protocols for the conservation and possible reuse of PPE. This review is based upon the peer-reviewed studies of various scientific investigators, biotechnology researchers, governmental agency health officials, including meta-analyses, preliminary/pilot studies, and policy statements. Current findings indicate that extended usage of N95 respirators is practical since there are methods available for the decontamination/repeated use of N95 respirators. In evaluating the efficacy of such methods, the safety of healthcare workers is important in deciding which method to recommend. Available evidence supports the use of the Bioquell Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor (HPV) system for decontaminating N95 respirators. Information on other PPE will also be discussed about more specific items. Informed decisions regarding the policies of hospitals and healthcare systems must be considered, and with the safety of healthcare workers in mind, both factors influenced the recommendations made in this comprehensive review.

scholarly journals Optimizing the trauma resuscitation bay during the covid-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e000488 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Hugh Livingston ◽  
Stephanie Bonne ◽  
Catherin Morello ◽  
Adam Fox
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Patient ◽  
Fluid Resuscitation ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Trauma Team ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Trauma Resuscitation ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Ancillary Staff ◽  
Ready Access ◽  
Head Covering

The covid-19 global pandemic due to the SARS-CoV2 (CoV2) virus has created the need to adapt hospital workspaces and staffing models, and trauma is no exception. While the optimal configuration of a trauma resuscitation area is debatable, the space needs to be large enough to accommodate the trauma team and ancillary staff. It also needs to have ready access to supplies and equipment to quickly and easily control hemorrhage, secure an airway and initiate fluid resuscitation. Lastly, stores of personal protective equipment in the form of fluid resistant gowns, head covering, face shield, and gloves (both sterile and non-sterile) should be readily available but under strict access. As CoV2 carriers increased in our population in New Jersey, we treated each incoming trauma patient as a potentially CoV2-positive case and sought to reconfigure out trauma resuscitation area to minimize exposure of our supplies to aerosolized virus.

scholarly journals COVID-19 crisis prompting innovation in addressing personal protective equipment shortage

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kripa Rajak
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Remote Work ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
N95 Respirators ◽  
Silver Lining

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has swept across the globe overwhelming health care systems and disrupting supply chain of personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, surgical face masks, goggles, face shields, N95 respirators and gowns. Surging demand, panic buying, hoarding, and misuse of PPE has led to substantial jump in its demand. Despite the terrible impact of COVID-19, if there’s any silver lining to this crisis, it is the rapidity at which communities are moving toward innovation in not just medicine and remote work but also in ways to mitigate the growing PPE shortages.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemisinde Enfeksiyon Kontrol Çalışmaları Çerçevesinde Çocuk Hastalarla Çalışan Sağlık Personeli Eğitimi

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-200
Author(s):  
Pembe Derin Oygar ◽  
Ayşe Büyükçam ◽  
Zümrüt Şahbudak Bal ◽  
Nazan Dalgıç ◽  
Şefika Elmas Bozdemir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Great Risk ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Applied Education

Objective: In the early stages of any epidemic caused by new emerging pathogens healthcare personnel is subject to a great risk. Pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, proved to be no exception. Many healthcare workers died in the early stages of pandemic due to inadequate precautions and insufficient protection. It is essential to protect and maintain the safety of healthcare personnel for the confinement of pandemic as well as continuity of qualified healthcare services which is already under strain. Educating healthcare personnel on appropiate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is as essential as procuring them. Material and Methods: A survey is conducted on 4927 healthcare personnel working solely with pediatric patients from 32 different centers. Education given on PPE usage were questioned and analyzed depending on age, sex, occupation and region. Results: Among four thousand nine hundred twelve healthcare personnel from 32 different centers 91% (n= 4457) received education on PPE usage. Of those who received education only 36% was given both theoretical and applied education. Although there was no differences among different occupation groups, receiving education depended on regions. Conclusion: It is essential to educate healthcare personnel appropiately nationwidely for the continuity of qualified healthcare services during the pandemic.

scholarly journals A Personal Respirator to Improve Protection for Healthcare Workers Treating COVID-19 (PeRSo)

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul T. Elkington ◽  
Alexander S. Dickinson ◽  
Mark N. Mavrogordato ◽  
Daniel C. Spencer ◽  
Richard J. Gillams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Supply Logistics ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Manufacturing Complexity ◽  
Validation Testing

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection is a global pandemic. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect healthcare workers has been a recurrent challenge in terms of global stocks, supply logistics and suitability. In some settings, around 20% of healthcare workers treating COVID-19 cases have become infected, which leads to staff absence at peaks of the pandemic, and in some cases mortality.Methods: To address shortcomings in PPE, we developed a simple powered air purifying respirator, made from inexpensive and widely available components. The prototype was designed to minimize manufacturing complexity so that derivative versions could be developed in low resource settings with minor modification.Results: The “Personal Respirator – Southampton” (PeRSo) delivers High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtered air from a battery powered fan-filter assembly into a lightweight hood with a clear visor that can be comfortably worn for several hours. Validation testing demonstrates that the prototype removes microbes, avoids excessive CO2 build-up in normal use, and passes fit test protocols widely used to evaluate standard N95/FFP2 and N99/FFP3 face masks. Feedback from doctors and nurses indicate the PeRSo prototype was preferred to standard FFP2 and FFP3 masks, being more comfortable and reducing the time and risk of recurrently changing PPE. Patients report better communication and reassurance as the entire face is visible.Conclusion: Rapid upscale of production of cheaply produced powered air purifying respirators, designed to achieve regulatory approval in the country of production, could protect healthcare workers from infection and improve healthcare delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Are Healthcare Personnel Trained in Correct Use of Personal Protective Equipment?

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amrita John ◽  
Myreen Tomas ◽  
Jennifer Cadnum ◽  
Thriveen S.C. Mana ◽  
Annette Jencson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Protective Equipment
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