scholarly journals Proposal for a EN 149 Acceptable Reprocessing Method for FFP2 Respirators in Times of Severe Shortage

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Widmer ◽  
Gilles Richner
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Personal Protection Equipment ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Gas Detector ◽  
Severe Shortage ◽  
Droplet Transmission ◽  
Filtration Capacity ◽  
Low Temperature Process

Abstract Introduction:Transmission to health care workers (HCW) poses a major burden in the current Covod-19 pandemic. Unprotected exposure to a SARS-CoV-2p patient is a key risk factor for HCWs. Droplet transmission, and high transmission during aerosol-generating procedures are modes of transmission, requiring a respirator such as N95 or FFP2 respirator to protect the HCWs, likely the most important part of personal protection equipment (PPE). However, many HCW were infected due to lack of PPE, or failure to use them. The worldwide shortage of respirators triggered the development of reprocessing used N95 or FFP respirator. Our proposal with H2O2 plasma sterilization for decontamination allows to reprocess a type of FFP2 still meeting filtration effectiveness of EN 149, the European standard for new respirators. The protocol is simple, uses available resources in hospitals and can be rapidly implemented to decrease the shortage of respirators during this crisis. The goal of the study was the evaluate if respirators can be reprocessed without hampering filtration capacity outlined by EN 149MethodsUsed FFP2 respirators – Model 3M AuraTM 1862+ - were sterilized using a low temperature process Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) V-PRO® maX Low Temperature, a FDA approved method to decontaminate FFP2 respirator. Decontaminated respirators were further checked for residual peroxide by a single-gas detector for H2O2. The Total Inward Leakage of the protective respirators was quantitatively tested with 10 test persons in an atmosphere charged with Paraffin aerosol according to EN 149. The fit factor was calculated as the inverse of the Total Inward Leakage.ResultsTen new and ten decontaminated FFP2 respirators were simultaneously tested for filtration effectiveness. None of the respirators exceeded peroxide maximum acceptable concentration of peroxide before use. More than 4000 respirators have been reprocessed so far, at cost of approximately 0.3 Euro/piece.ConclusionsFFP 2 respirators can be safely reprocessed once after decontamination with plasma peroxid sterilization still meeting EN 149 requirements as new respirators. This allows to almost double the current number of FFP2 respirators that are in serious shortage.

scholarly journals Adaptations and Safety Modifications to Perform Safe Minimal Access Surgery (Minimally Invasive Surgery: Laparoscopy and Robotic) during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
pp. 155335062096432
Author(s):  
SP Somashekhar ◽  
Rudra Acharya ◽  
S Manjiri ◽  
Sumit Talwar ◽  
KR Ashwin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Surgical Instruments ◽  
Minimal Access ◽  
Personal Protection Equipment ◽  
Minimally Invasive Surgical ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Device Use

It is inevitable that some patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 may require urgent surgical procedures. The objective of this review was to discuss the modifications required in the operating room during COVID-19 times for minimal access, laparoscopy, and robotic surgery, especially with regard to minimally invasive surgical instruments, buffalo filter, trocars with smoke evacuator, and special personal protection equipment. We have discussed the safety measures to be followed for the suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patient. In addition to surgical patients, health care workers should also protect themselves by following the guidelines and recommendations while treating these patients. Although there is little evidence of viral transmission through laparoscopic or open approaches, we recommend modifications to surgical practice such as the use of safe smoke evacuation and minimizing energy device use to reduce the risk of exposure to aerosolized particles to the health care team. Therefore, hospitals must follow specific protocols and arrange suitable training of the health care workers. Following well-established plans to accomplish un-deferrable surgeries in COVID-19–positive patients is strongly recommended.

scholarly journals The epidemiology of the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong – what we do know and what we don't

2004 ◽  
Vol 132 (5) ◽  
pp. 781-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. T. S. YU ◽  
J. J. Y. SUNG
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Housing Estate ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Aerosol Generation ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Private Housing ◽  
Mode Of Transmission

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) struck Hong Kong bitterly in the spring of 2003, infecting 1755 persons and claiming nearly 300 lives. The epidemic was introduced by travellers from southern China, where the disease had originated. It started in late February and lasted until early June. Two notable ‘super-spreading’ events were reported, one inside a teaching hospital and the other in a private housing estate. Other than in the super-spreading events, the infectivity in the community appeared to be low, and there were few, if any, asymptomatic or subclinical infections. Health-care workers were at particular risk and accounted for 22% of all probable cases. The main modes of transmission were through droplet spread and close/direct contacts, but situations conducive to aerosol generation appeared to be associated with higher risk. Our review suggests that there are still many unknown factors concerning the mode of transmission and environmental risk that need to be clarified.

scholarly journals Death and Mourning Process in Frontline Health Care Professionals and Their Families During COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sreeja Das ◽  
Tushar Singh ◽  
Rahul Varma ◽  
Yogesh Kumar Arya
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Personal Protection Equipment ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mourning Process

The COVID-19 epidemic has mushroomed globally, disrupting the existence of millions. Under this current pandemic situation, the frontline health care professionals are looped in the clutch of the virus and are relatively more exposed to the patients infected with the disease. In this precarious situation, the frontline health care professionals have contributed their best to provide utmost care to the patients infected with the ailment. The direct involvement of these professionals, however, has taken a toll on their physical health as well as on their mental well-being. Several studies conducted recently have reported that frontline health care workers engaged in direct diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with COVID-19 are associated with a higher risk of symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues. Lack of personal protection equipment, unreasonable amounts of work, improper medicines, fear of contracting the disease, and lack of skilled training have interposed the frontline health care workers with unimaginable stress. Due to the widespread outbreak, the death count of the frontline health care professionals has also surged. However, studies exploring the physical and mental welfare of the frontline health care professionals and their families are very few and far behind. To address this aperture, the present paper attempts to highlight the psychological and physical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frontline health care professions and to understand the impact of the death of these frontline health care professionals on the psychological well-being, mourning process, and complicated grief among the family members of healthcare professionals. The paper also presents some recommendations for providing psychological support to healthcare professionals and their bereaved families.

scholarly journals Different Type of Face Masks and Their Protection Against Covid-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Azmawati Mohamed ◽  
Wan Shahida Wan Sulaiman
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Filtration Rate ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
The Public ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Surgical Masks ◽  
The Many ◽  
Respiratory Droplets ◽  
Droplet Transmission

Coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) have become a major pandemic and a gruesome burden worldwide. The infection is easily spread through respiratory droplets from infected individuals during coughing, sneezing or talking. People in their vicinity, within 1-meter distance, can get infected by breathing contaminated air and touching the contaminated surfaces or hands. WHO encouraged the use of facemasks in the community, together with regular hand washing with soap and social distancing to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. However, with the many types of facemasks available in the markets, it remains debatable as to which ones are the most effective in curbing the transmission of the disease. This paper reviews available literature on the types of face masks, their effectiveness in filtering droplets and the advantages and disadvantages of using disposable and fabric masks. As found out, the most superior mask is the N95 type, with a filtration rate of 95% of 0.3 micron particles. However, for respiratory droplets, which particle size is from 5 to 10 microns, a surgical mask is adequate with a filtration rate of 90% of 3 micron particles. Due to disposal and cost concerns, surgical masks are recommended to be used only by health care workers. Three-layer cotton masks offer almost the same filtration rate as surgical mask and are recommended by WHO to be used in the community to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Surgical masks and 3-layered cotton masks are effective in preventing droplet transmission from infected to healthy individuals. To prevent COVID-19, the public should be reminded continuously on the proper use and disposal of masks, regular hand washing and physical distancing.

Transmission of Hepatitis B and AIDS

1986 ◽  
Vol 7 (S2) ◽  
pp. 132-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Garibaldi
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
The Past ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Clinical Consequences ◽  
Organ Tropism ◽  
Lay Public

Hepatitis B virus and HTLV-III are quite dissimilar in virology, organ tropism and clinical consequences. However, they are remarkably similar in epidemiology, modes of transmission, affected risk groups, and potentials for nosocomial infection. Presently, the two diseases pose much different problems for hospital epidemiologists. Over the past 10 years, the risks of nosocomial hepatitis B have dropped off sharply. In fact, hepatitis B is now theoretically a totally preventable disease. On the other hand, the epidemic of HTLV-III infection in high-risk groups continues unabated. The fear of acquiring infection has precipitated panic reactions among some groups of health care workers and the lay public.

scholarly journals Over view for the truth of COVID -19 pandemic: A guide for the Pathologists, Health care workers and community’

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (COVID19-S4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mulazim Hussain Bukhari ◽  
Khalid Mahmood ◽  
Syeda Ailia Zahra
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Personal Protection Equipment ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Laboratory Staff ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
Care Workers

Pakistan is in the grip of COVID-19, due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) since 26 February 2020, and the number of infected people and mortality is rising gradually. The health workers, doctors, pathologists and laboratory staff are front line fighters who are facing the risk. Few things are important for public and health workers, human behavior is at the core of preparedness and response i.e, personal protective measures, (handwashing, face masks, respiratory etiquette, surface and objects cleansing), social distancing and travel measures because the virus spreads through the  respiratory channels, eyes, nose and mouth. While working in the Pathology labs, use the personal protection equipment (PPE), during the work in the duty. Avoiding the over duties and long shifts. It is good to keep the immune system healthy by taking a healthy balanced diet, vitamin supplements, and a night of proper sleep. It is also important to avoid taking food during duties and avoid making close contact without wearing safety dress. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2519 How to cite this:Bukhari MH, Mahmood K, Zahra SA. Over view for the truth of COVID-19 pandemic: A guide for the Pathologists, Health care workers and community’. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2519 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Organizational Factors and Health Care Workers' Physical Safety

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Lipscomb ◽  
Jeanne Geiger-Brown ◽  
Katherine McPhaul ◽  
Karen Calabro
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Care Workers
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