Possible Opportunities in Face Mask Manufacturing During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-113
Author(s):  
Debesh Mishra ◽  
Hullash Chauhan ◽  
Dinesh Kumar Mishra ◽  
Suchismita Satapathy
Keyword(s):  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Structural Modelling ◽  
Interpretive Structural Modelling ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Made In

COVID-19 has been primarily regarded as a respiratory disease, and until a safer and effective treatment or vaccine becomes available, the prevention of COVID-19 may continue through interventions based on non-pharmaceutical measures such as maintaining of physical distances and use of personal protective equipment like facemasks, etc. Therefore, an attempt was made in this study to explore the drawbacks with the presently available facemasks for protection from COVID-19 viruses in the state of Odisha in India, and also to explore the possible opportunities for further development of these facemasks. The associated discomforts; strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of existing facemasks in Odisha; possible opportunities for “Make in India” of these facemasks; along with safer use have been analyzed with the help of interpretive structural modelling (ISM) approach followed by MICMAC analysis.

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.

Feasibility study: Proposed alternative to N95 respirator during the personal protective equipment shortage from COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 192-202
Author(s):  
Ahel El Haj Chehade, MD ◽  
Jesintha Stephenson, MD ◽  
Evan Floyd, PhD ◽  
Jean Keddissi, MD, FCCP ◽  
Tony Abdo, MD ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulse Oximetry ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
The United States ◽  
Geometric Standard Deviation ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Fit Testing

Introduction: Having an adequate supply of personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a constant challenge for hospitals across the United States. In the event of shortages, our assembled mask might offer noninferior protection compared to an N95 respirator. Objective: To study the ability of an assembled mask to pass a quantitative fit testing.Methods: We conducted a feasibility study at the Oklahoma City Veteran Affairs Health Care System. Volunteers were fitted with an assembled mask made of either a Hans Rudolph half-face mask or a Respironics Performax full-face mask, attached to an Iso-Gard HEPA light Filter 28022 through a Performax SE elbow hinge. Quantitative fit testing was conducted using the Occupation Safety and Health Administration fit testing protocol. The primary outcome was the percentage of participants who pass the quantitative fit test. Secondary outcomes included the overall fit factor (FF), average FF for different exercises, changes in pulse oximetry and endtidal CO2 at 0 and 15 minutes, willingness to use the mask, and visibility assessment.Results: Twenty participants completed the study, and all (100 percent) passed the quantitative fit testing. The overall FF had a geometric mean of 2,317 (range: 208-16,613) and a geometric standard deviation of 3.8. The lowest FF was recorded while the subjects were talking. Between time 0 and 15 minutes, there was no clinically significant change in pulse oximetry and end-tidal CO2 levels. Most participants reported “very good” visibility and were “highly likely” to use the Hans Rudolph half-face mask in the case of shortage.Conclusion: Our assembled respirator offers noninferior protection to N95 respirators in the setting of hypothetical protective equipment shortage.

Respiratory viruses on personal protective equipment and bodies of healthcare workers

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. 1356-1360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linh T. Phan ◽  
Dagmar Sweeney ◽  
Dayana Maita ◽  
Donna C. Moritz ◽  
Susan C. Bleasdale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Respiratory Viruses ◽  
The Body ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Bare Hand ◽  
Polymerase Chain

AbstractObjective:To characterize the magnitude of virus contamination on personal protective equipment (PPE), skin, and clothing of healthcare workers (HCWs) who cared for patients having acute viral infections.Design:Prospective observational study.Setting:Acute-care academic hospital.Participants:A total of 59 HCWs agreed to have their PPE, clothing, and/or skin swabbed for virus measurement.Methods:The PPE worn by HCW participants, including glove, face mask, gown, and personal stethoscope, were swabbed with Copan swabs. After PPE doffing, bodies and clothing of HCWs were sampled with Copan swabs: hand, face, and scrubs. Preamplification and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods were used to quantify viral RNA copies in the swab samples.Results:Overall, 31% of glove samples, 21% of gown samples, and 12% of face mask samples were positive for virus. Among the body and clothing sites, 21% of bare hand samples, 11% of scrub samples, and 7% of face samples were positive for virus. Virus concentrations on PPE were not statistically significantly different than concentrations on skin and clothing under PPE. Virus concentrations on the personal stethoscopes and on the gowns were positively correlated with the number of torso contacts (P < .05). Virus concentrations on face masks were positively correlated with the number of face mask contacts and patient contacts (P < .05).Conclusions:Healthcare workers are routinely contaminated with respiratory viruses after patient care, indicating the need to ensure that HCWs complete hand hygiene and use other PPE to prevent dissemination of virus to other areas of the hospital. Modifying self-contact behaviors may decrease the presence of virus on HCWs.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Disposable Face Masks: a Precursor for Synthesis of Valuable Bioproducts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwatosin Oginni
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Pollution ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Thermoplastic Polymers ◽  
Secondary Transmission

Abstract Disposable face mask has become a mandatory personal protective equipment in order to prevent contracting COVID-19. With the significant surge in its usage, its adverse environmental impact is becoming a source of concern. Disposable face masks are made from thermoplastic polymers and therefore they can be safely converted into valuable bioproducts. This paper discussed the possibility of converting waste/contaminated face masks into valuable bioproducts, which will essentially eliminate secondary transmission of the coronavirus and the concerns of environmental pollution.

scholarly journals Individual-Level Heterogeneity in Mask-wearing During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen X. Zhang ◽  
Kim Hoe Looi ◽  
Nicolas Li ◽  
Jizhen LI ◽  
Xue Wan
Keyword(s):  
Health Communication ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Individual Heterogeneity ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Public Places ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Individual Choices ◽  
Specific Health

Wearing a face mask has been a key approach to contain or slow down the spread of COVID-19 in the ongoing pandemic. However, there is huge heterogeneity among individuals in their willingness to wear face masks during an epidemic. This research aims to investigate the individual heterogeneity to wear face masks and its associated predictors during the COVID-19 pandemic when mask-wearing was not mandatory but individual choices. Based on a survey of 708 Malaysian adults and a multivariate least-squares fitting analysis, the results reveal a significant variance among individuals in wearing masks, as 34% of the individual adults did not always wear masks in public places. Female, individuals who wash their hands more frequently, and those who reported more availability of personal protective equipment were more likely to practice mask-wearing. The identification of less compliant groups of mask-wearing has critical implications by enabling more specific health communication campaigns.

Full-face mask adapter as COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment: design, tests and validation

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 986-993
Author(s):  
Ruben Fuentes-Alvarez ◽  
Mariel Alfaro-Ponce ◽  
Fanny Alvarado ◽  
Jessica Aidee Mora-Galvan ◽  
Rita Q. Fuentes-Aguilar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Equipment Design ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Full Face

scholarly journals Surgical Performance Is Not Negatively Impacted by Wearing a Commercial Full-Face Mask with Ad Hoc 3D-Printed Filter Connection as a Substitute for Personal Protective Equipment during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Cross-Over Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Amelia Felinska ◽  
Zi-Wei Chen ◽  
Thomas Ewald Fuchs ◽  
Benjamin Otto ◽  
Hannes Götz Kenngott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Surgical Performance ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Full Face

(1) Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, shortages in the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) have become apparent. The idea of using commonly available full-face diving (FFD) masks as a temporary solution was quickly spread across social media. However, it was unknown whether an FFD mask would considerably impair complex surgical tasks. Thus, we aimed to assess laparoscopic surgical performance while wearing an FFD mask as PPE. (2) Methods: In a randomized-controlled cross-over trial, 40 laparoscopically naive medical students performed laparoscopic procedures while wearing an FFD mask with ad hoc 3D-printed connections to heat and moisture exchange (HME) filters vs. wearing a common surgical face mask. The performance was evaluated using global and specific Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) checklists for suturing and cholecystectomy. (3) Results: For the laparoscopic cholecystectomy, both global OSATS scores and specific OSATS scores for the quality of procedure were similar (Group 1: 25 ± 4.3 and 45.7 ± 12.9, p = 0.485, vs. Group 2: 24.1 ± 3.7 and 43.3 ± 7.6, p = 0.485). For the laparoscopic suturing task, the FFD mask group needed similar times to the surgical mask group (3009 ± 1694 s vs. 2443 ± 949 s; p = 0.200). Some participants reported impaired verbal communication while wearing the FFD mask, as it muffled the sound of speech, as well as discomfort in breathing. (4) Conclusions: FFD masks do not affect the quality of laparoscopic surgical performance, despite being uncomfortable, and may therefore be used as a substitute for conventional PPE in times of shortage—i.e., the global COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals PENERAPAN KESELAMATAN DAN KESEHATAN KERJA PADA LABORATORIUM KONSTRUKSI SIPIL POLITEKNIK NEGERI MANADO

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syanne Pangemanan ◽  
Tampanatu P. F. Sompie
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Descriptive Research ◽  
Achievement Score ◽  
Support Tools ◽  
Head Of Department ◽  
Made In

ABSTRACTThe implementation of safety and work will create a good maintenance of labor. This study aims to determine the application of OSH at the Civil Construction Laboratory. This research is descriptive research with quantitative approach. Data collection using questionnaires, documentation and interviews. And the subjects of the study were divided into 4 groups; 1) Head of Department and Head of Laboratory, 2) Lecturer of Laboratory, 3) Technician and 4) Students who followed the practice in Civil Construction Laboratories. Data analysis is presented in the form of graph and table in the form of percentage of achievement score. Based on the results of the achievement of indicators in the application of OSH in the Laboratory of Civil Construction is achieved 26.43% into the category less good, because in the implementation of OSH is not good enough so it needs improvement in OSH implementation. Obstacles that affect the application of OSH is the lack of awareness of The Department Leaders, Heads of Laboratories and Technicalists and Students of the importance of OSH. The absence of a special team that handles OSH and the unavailability of OSH support equipment. Efforts are made in overcoming the obstacles that is to form a special team that handles OSH. There are always directives and appeals to the students of the importance of OSH and the availability of OSH support tools such as laws and regulations, symbols OSH and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).Key words : OSH, obstacles, countermeasuresABSTRAKPenerapan Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja akan menciptakan terwujudnya pemeliharaan tenaga kerja yang baik. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui penerapan Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja (K3) di Laboratorium Konstruksi Sipil. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif dengan pendekatan kuantitatif. Pengumpulan data menggunakan kuisioner, dokumentasi dan wawancara. Dan subyek penelitian dibagi dalam 4 kelompok yaitu: 1) Pimpinan Jurusan dan Kepala Laboratorium, 2) Dosen Pengajar Laboratorium, 3) Teknisi dan 4) Mahasiswa yang mengikuti praktek pada Laboratorium Konstruksi Sipil. Analisis data disajikan dalam bentuk grafik dan tabel yang berupa presentase skor ketercapaian. Berdasarkan hasil ketercapaian indikator dalam penerapan Keselamatan dan kesehatan Kerja di Laboratorium Konstruksi Sipil yaitu tercapai 26.43% masuk kedalam ketegori kurang baik. Karena dalam penerapan K3 tercapai kurang baik maka perlu peningkatan dalam penerapan K3. Hambatan-hambatan yang mempengaruhi penerapan K3 yaitu kurangnya kesadaran dari Pimpinan Jurusan, Kepala Laboratorium dan Teknisi serta Mahasiswa akan pentingnya K3, tidak adanya tim khusus yang menangani K3 serta tidak tersedianya alat-alat penunjang K3. Upaya yang dilakukan dalam mengatasi hambatan yaitu dengan membentuk tim khusus yang menangani K3, selalu ada arahan dan himbauan kepada mahasiswa akan pentingnya K3 dan ketersediaan alat-alat penunjang K3 seperti undang-undang dan peraturan, simbol-simbol K3 dan APD.Kata kunci : K3, hambatan, upaya penanggulangan

scholarly journals Physiological Hazards and Advancement of COVID-19 in Patients as a Result of Habitual and Prolong Face Mask Usage: Potential Prevention

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 712-715
Author(s):  
Onwuka O. M.
Keyword(s):  
Human Physiology ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
First Report ◽  
Airborne Infections

Background: Since the first report of coronavirus disease widely known as COVID-19, in late December 2019; face masks (medical, surgical etc.) became one of the preventive/common measures adopted, which in turn resulted to its habitual use. The habitual use of the masks portrayed potential physiological hazards as it is suggested to affect the human physiology adversely. Content: This article highlighted consequences of habitual and prolonged face mask usage which includes; potential physiological hazards and advancement of COVID-19 in infected individuals that employ its use. Conclusion: The article did not undermine the usefulness of surgical or medical mask as personal protective equipment worn to prevent transmission of airborne infections (COVID-19, etc.), but the article suggests avoidance of habitual and prolonged use of masks and possible ways to use it in order to prevent physiological hazards that result from its habitual use. Keywords: COVID-19, face mask, physiological hazard, habitual use, frequent.

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