American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · Dec 2020
Decontamination and reuse of N95 filtering facemask respirators: A systematic review of the literature.
As has happened in other emerging respiratory pandemics, demand for N95 filtering facemask respirators (FFRs) has far exceeded their manufacturing production and availability in the context of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. One of the proposed strategies for mitigating the massive demand for N95 FFRs is their reuse after a process of decontamination that allows the inactivation of any potentially infectious material on their surfaces. This article aims to summarize all of the available evidence on the different decontamination methods that might allow disposable N95 FFRs to be reused, with emphasis on decontamination from SARS-CoV-2. ⋯ Although all the methods for the decontamination and reuse of N95 FFRs have advantages and disadvantages, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation and vaporized hydrogen peroxide seem to be the most promising methods.
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Am J Infect Control · Dec 2020
Lesson learned from China regarding use of personal protective equipment.
In Wuhan, China, in December 2019, the novel coronavirus was detected. The virus causing COVID-19 was related to a coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The virus caused an epidemic in China and was quickly contained in 2003. Although coming from the same family of viruses and sharing certain transmissibility factors, the local health institutions in China had no experience with this new virus, subsequently named SARS-CoV-2. ⋯ The lessons learned by health care workers in China are shared in the hope of preventing future occupational exposure.
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Am J Infect Control · Dec 2020
Impact of extended use and decontamination with vaporized hydrogen peroxide on N95 respirator fit.
To address the shortage of N95 respirators in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, some organizations have recommended the decontamination of respirators using vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) sterilizer for up to 10 times. However, these recommendations are based on studies that did not take into account the extended use of respirators, which can degrade respirator fit. ⋯ The combination of prolonged usage and VHP decontamination was associated with early failure. Decontamination and prolonged usage of respirators must be done cautiously.