Storage and Availability of Elastomeric Respirators in Health Care

Hines, Stella E.; Brown, Clayton H.; Oliver, Marc; Gucer, Patricia; Frisch, Melissa; Hogan, Regina; Roth, Tracy; Chang, James; McDiarmid, Melissa A.

doi:10.1089/hs.2019.0039

Cited by 19 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Logistical issues also impose potential challenges to EHFR use in health care settings. For example, both storage and availability of elastomeric respirators have been shown to be potential barriers to their optimal use in these settings (Hines et al, 2019a). Perhaps more imposing, however, are questions about whether a reusable respirator can be cleaned and disinfected acceptably.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cleaning and Disinfection Perceptions and Use Practices Among Elastomeric Respirator Users in Health care

Hines

Brown

Oliver

et al. 2020

Workplace Health Saf

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Background: Reusable elastomeric respirator use in health care may represent one solution to address N95 respirator shortages experienced during infectious disease outbreaks, but cleaning and disinfection requirements may limit their utility. Evidence of respirator cleaning and disinfection behaviors and practices by health care workers may inform guidance on reusable respirator use. Methods: Medical system elastomeric respirator users were surveyed about respirator cleaning and disinfection practices and perceptions via an electronic survey. Respondents were subsequently classified based on reported compliance with their assigned respirator use. To explore whether respirator cleaning and disinfection issues affected compliance with assigned device use, responses were compared between user groups and adjusted for covariates. Results: A total of 432 of 2,024 (21%) eligible elastomeric respirator users completed the survey. Most (>90%) reported that their respirator was clean, but only 52% reported that they always disinfect their respirators after use according to the hospital’s expected practice. Only 40 respondents (9%) reported regularly cleaning the respirator with soap and water, in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. Reporting of suboptimal decontamination practice was not associated with assigned device compliance, however, except among providers and respiratory therapists. Conclusion/Application to Practice: Although perceptions of cleanliness and adherence to expected decontamination practices during routine use did not appear to influence compliance with assigned respirator use overall, this did predict compliance among providers and respiratory therapists, both of whom have nonfixed workstations. Practical and effective strategies to assure easy access to and availability of clean reusable respiratory protective devices are needed to facilitate their use in health care respiratory protection programs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cleaning and Disinfection Perceptions and Use Practices Among Elastomeric Respirator Users in Health care

Hines

Brown

Oliver

et al. 2020

Workplace Health Saf

Self Cite

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“…The elastomeric respirator is a valid and increasingly used option due to the shortage of N95/FFP2 respirators [ 32 ]. This device can be found in half-face and full-face versions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19: Biosafety in the Intensive Care Unit

Díaz-Guio

Pinzón-Rodas³

et al. 2020

Curr Trop Med Rep

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Purpose of Review COVID-19 is a new, highly transmissible disease to which healthcare workers (HCWs) are exposed, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU). Information related to protection mechanisms is heterogeneous, and the infected HCWs’ number is increasing. This review intends to summarize the current knowledge and practices to protect ICU personnel during the patient management process in the context of the current pandemic. Recent Findings The transmission mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 are mainly respiratory droplets, aerosols, and contact. The virus can last for a few hours suspended in the air and be viable on surfaces for several days. Some procedures carried out in the ICU can generate aerosols. The shortage of respirators, such as the N95, has generated an increase in the demand for other protective equipment in critical care settings. Summary The probability of transmission depends on the characteristics of the pathogen, the availability of quality personal protective equipment, and the human factors associated with the performance of health workers. It is necessary to have knowledge of the virus and availability of the best possible personal protection equipment, develop skills for handling equipment, and develop non-technical skills during all intensive care process; this can be achieved through structured training.

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“…Derrick et al, 73 Rebmann et al, 74 Roberge et al, 75 Sinkule et al, 76 Shenal et al 69 (5) Reusable respirators [77][78][79][80][81][82][83] Fabrication or testing of reusable respirators that are meant to be decontaminated between uses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bessesen et al, 79 Hines et al, 81 Hines et al, 82 Hines et al, 83 Lawrence et al, 77 Pompeii et al, 80 Subhash et al 78 (6) Unconventional mask replacements or modifications 43-45 84 Assessment of cloth masks, new mask types, modifications of existing mask designs and use of non-medical equipment as masks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mask shortage during epidemics and pandemics: a scoping review of interventions to overcome limited supply

et al. 2020

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ObjectiveTo characterise published evidence regarding preclinical and clinical interventions to overcome mask shortages during epidemics and pandemics.DesignSystematic scoping review.SettingsAll healthcare settings relevant to epidemics and pandemics.Search strategyEnglish peer-reviewed studies published from January 1995 to June 2020 were included. Literature was identified using four databases (Medline-OVID, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library), forwards-and-backwards searching through Scopus and an extensive grey literature search. Assessment of study eligibility, data extraction and evidence appraisal were performed in duplicate by two independent reviewers.ResultsOf the 11 220 database citations, a total of 47 articles were included. These studies encompassed six broad categories of conservation strategies: decontamination, reusability of disposable masks and/or extended wear, layering, reusable respirators, non-traditional replacements or modifications and stockpiled masks. Promising strategies for mask conservation in the context of pandemics and epidemics include use of stockpiled masks, extended wear of disposable masks and decontamination.ConclusionThere are promising strategies for overcoming face mask shortages during epidemics and pandemics. Further research specific to practical considerations is required before implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Storage and Availability of Elastomeric Respirators in Health Care

Cited by 19 publications

References 10 publications

Cleaning and Disinfection Perceptions and Use Practices Among Elastomeric Respirator Users in Health care

Cleaning and Disinfection Perceptions and Use Practices Among Elastomeric Respirator Users in Health care

COVID-19: Biosafety in the Intensive Care Unit

Mask shortage during epidemics and pandemics: a scoping review of interventions to overcome limited supply

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