COVID-19 Global Pandemic Planning: Decontamination and Reuse Processes for N95 Respirators

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 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 (FFRs). 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.

The effect of the staff development program on nursing evidence-based performance regarding Covid -19 pandemic in the obstetrics - gynaecology and paediatrics departments

“…Unavailability of Protective shoes for the foot and a convenient place for patients to maintain social distancing for each of them (89%). The results of this study are consistent with the results of previous studies in Egypt and other countries related to COVID-19 (Ahmed et al, 2020;Boškoski et al, 2020;Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020;El-Sokkary et al, 2021;Mandrola, 2020;Perkins et al, 2020). They all reported that the supplies and equipment required to combat COVID-19 are limited and insufficient, besides the extensive use of personal protective equipment in health institutions.…”