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Patrice Vanelle - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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stockpiled n95 respirator Surgical Mask release beyond manufacturer designated shelf life a french experience
Journal of Hospital Infection, 2020Co-Authors: D. Brun, Christophe Curti, T. Mekideche, A. Benech, I. Hounliasso, Edouard Lamy, C. Castera, Pascal Rathelot, Patrice VanelleAbstract:Summary Background To reduce the shortage of N95 respirators and Surgical Masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, stockpiled equipment beyond its expiry date could be released. Aim: Centralized testing of batches of expired Surgical Masks and N95 for safe distribution to hospital departments saving users time. Methods Tests of compliance with health authority directives were developed and carried out on 175 batches of N95 Masks and 31 batches of Surgical Masks from 12th March 2020 to 16 April 2020. Five quality-control tests were performed on batch samples to check: packaging integrity, Mask appearance, breaking strength of elastic ties and strength of nose clip test, and face-fit. Findings Forty-nine per cent of FFP2 Mask batches were compliant with directives, 32% of batches were compliant but with some concerns and 19% of batches were non-compliant. For Surgical Masks, 58% of batches were compliant, 39% of batches compliant but with concerns and 3% of batches were non-compliant. Conclusion The main areas of non-compliance were the breaking strength of the elastic ties and the nose clip but these alone were not considered to make the Masks unacceptable. Only Mask appearance and face-fit results were decisive non-compliance criteria.
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Stockpiled N95 respirator/Surgical Mask release beyond manufacturer-designated shelf-life: a French experience.
The Journal of hospital infection, 2020Co-Authors: D. Brun, Christophe Curti, T. Mekideche, A. Benech, I. Hounliasso, Edouard Lamy, C. Castera, Pascal Rathelot, Patrice VanelleAbstract:Summary Background To reduce the shortage of N95 respirators and Surgical Masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, stockpiled equipment beyond its expiry date could be released. Aim: Centralized testing of batches of expired Surgical Masks and N95 for safe distribution to hospital departments saving users time. Methods Tests of compliance with health authority directives were developed and carried out on 175 batches of N95 Masks and 31 batches of Surgical Masks from 12th March 2020 to 16 April 2020. Five quality-control tests were performed on batch samples to check: packaging integrity, Mask appearance, breaking strength of elastic ties and strength of nose clip test, and face-fit. Findings Forty-nine per cent of FFP2 Mask batches were compliant with directives, 32% of batches were compliant but with some concerns and 19% of batches were non-compliant. For Surgical Masks, 58% of batches were compliant, 39% of batches compliant but with concerns and 3% of batches were non-compliant. Conclusion The main areas of non-compliance were the breaking strength of the elastic ties and the nose clip but these alone were not considered to make the Masks unacceptable. Only Mask appearance and face-fit results were decisive non-compliance criteria.
Raymond J. Roberge - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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absence of consequential changes in physiological thermal and subjective responses from wearing a Surgical Mask
Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 2012Co-Authors: Raymond J. Roberge, Jung-hyun Kim, Stacey BensonAbstract:Twenty subjects treadmill exercised at 5.6 km/h for 1h with and without wearing a Surgical Mask while being monitored for heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, transcutaneous CO2, SpO2, core and skin temperatures, Mask deadspace heat and relative humidity, and skin temperature under the Mask. Rating scales were utilized for exertion and heat perceptions. Surgical Mask use resulted in increases in heart rate (9.5 beats/min; p<0.001), respiratory rate (1.6 breaths/min; p=0.02), and transcutaneous carbon dioxide (2.17 mmHg; p=0.0006), and decreased temperature of uncovered facial skin (0.40 °C; p=0.03). The 1.76 °C increase in temperature of the skin covered by the Mask was associated with a Mask deadspace apparent heat index of 52.9 °C. Perceptions of heat were neutral to slightly hot, and for exertion ranged from very, very light to fairly light. Surgical Mask use for 1h at a low-moderate work rate is not associated with clinically significant physiological impact or significant subjective perceptions of exertion or heat.
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Absence of consequential changes in physiological, thermal and subjective responses from wearing a Surgical Mask.
Respiratory physiology & neurobiology, 2012Co-Authors: Raymond J. Roberge, Jung-hyun Kim, Stacey BensonAbstract:Twenty subjects treadmill exercised at 5.6 km/h for 1h with and without wearing a Surgical Mask while being monitored for heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, transcutaneous CO2, SpO2, core and skin temperatures, Mask deadspace heat and relative humidity, and skin temperature under the Mask. Rating scales were utilized for exertion and heat perceptions. Surgical Mask use resulted in increases in heart rate (9.5 beats/min; p
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Surgical Mask placement over N95 filtering facepiece respirators: Physiological effects on healthcare workers
Respirology, 2010Co-Authors: Raymond J. Roberge, Aitor Coca, W. Jon Williams, Andrew J. Palmiero, Jeffrey B. PowellAbstract:Background and objective Filtering facepiece respirators ('N95 Masks') may be in short supply during large-scale infectious outbreaks. Suggestions have been made to extend their useful life by using a Surgical Mask as an outer barrier, but the physiological impact of this added barrier upon the wearer has not been studied. Methods A Surgical Mask was worn over an N95 filtering facepiece respirator by 10 healthcare workers for 1 h at each of two work rates. Heart rate, respiratory rate, tidal volume, minute volume, oxygen saturation, transcutaneous carbon dioxide levels and respirator dead space gases were monitored and compared with controls (N95 filtering facepiece respirator without a Surgical Mask). Subjective perceptions of exertion and comfort were assessed by numerical rating scales. Results There were no significant differences in physiological variables between those who used Surgical Masks and controls. Surgical Masks decreased dead space oxygen concentrations of the filtering facepiece respirators at the lesser work rate (P = 0.03) and for filtering facepiece respirators with an exhalation valve at the higher work rate (P = 0.003). Respirator dead space oxygen and carbon dioxide levels were not harmonious with Occupational Safety and Health Administration workplace ambient atmosphere standards. Exertion and comfort scores were not significantly impacted by the Surgical Mask. Conclusions Use of a Surgical Mask as an outer barrier over N95 filtering facepiece respirators does not significantly impact the physiological burden or perceptions of comfort and exertion by the wearer over that experienced without use of a Surgical Mask.
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Effect of Surgical Masks worn concurrently over N95 filtering facepiece respirators: extended service life versus increased user burden.
Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP, 2008Co-Authors: Raymond J. RobergeAbstract:Growing concern over the availability of Respiratory protective devices (eg, filtering facepiece Respirators), in the face of the probable extreme demand brought on by a pandemic influenza, has prompted the suggestion that useful life of N95 filtering facepiece Respirator can be extended by the concurrent use of a Surgical Mask as an outer protective barrier over the Respirator. Personal protective equipment generally places a strain on the user, and the detrimental physiological and psychological burdens normally imposed by Respirator use could be magnified by the addition of an extra layer of protection such as a Surgical Mask. The issue of this potentially increased burden of the concurrent use of a Surgical faceMask with an N95 filtering facepiece Respirator is investigated to afford users the necessary information to make informed decisions Regarding the use of this Respiratory personal protective equipment in the face of large-scale outbreaks of Respiratory pathogens.
D. Brun - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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stockpiled n95 respirator Surgical Mask release beyond manufacturer designated shelf life a french experience
Journal of Hospital Infection, 2020Co-Authors: D. Brun, Christophe Curti, T. Mekideche, A. Benech, I. Hounliasso, Edouard Lamy, C. Castera, Pascal Rathelot, Patrice VanelleAbstract:Summary Background To reduce the shortage of N95 respirators and Surgical Masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, stockpiled equipment beyond its expiry date could be released. Aim: Centralized testing of batches of expired Surgical Masks and N95 for safe distribution to hospital departments saving users time. Methods Tests of compliance with health authority directives were developed and carried out on 175 batches of N95 Masks and 31 batches of Surgical Masks from 12th March 2020 to 16 April 2020. Five quality-control tests were performed on batch samples to check: packaging integrity, Mask appearance, breaking strength of elastic ties and strength of nose clip test, and face-fit. Findings Forty-nine per cent of FFP2 Mask batches were compliant with directives, 32% of batches were compliant but with some concerns and 19% of batches were non-compliant. For Surgical Masks, 58% of batches were compliant, 39% of batches compliant but with concerns and 3% of batches were non-compliant. Conclusion The main areas of non-compliance were the breaking strength of the elastic ties and the nose clip but these alone were not considered to make the Masks unacceptable. Only Mask appearance and face-fit results were decisive non-compliance criteria.
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Stockpiled N95 respirator/Surgical Mask release beyond manufacturer-designated shelf-life: a French experience.
The Journal of hospital infection, 2020Co-Authors: D. Brun, Christophe Curti, T. Mekideche, A. Benech, I. Hounliasso, Edouard Lamy, C. Castera, Pascal Rathelot, Patrice VanelleAbstract:Summary Background To reduce the shortage of N95 respirators and Surgical Masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, stockpiled equipment beyond its expiry date could be released. Aim: Centralized testing of batches of expired Surgical Masks and N95 for safe distribution to hospital departments saving users time. Methods Tests of compliance with health authority directives were developed and carried out on 175 batches of N95 Masks and 31 batches of Surgical Masks from 12th March 2020 to 16 April 2020. Five quality-control tests were performed on batch samples to check: packaging integrity, Mask appearance, breaking strength of elastic ties and strength of nose clip test, and face-fit. Findings Forty-nine per cent of FFP2 Mask batches were compliant with directives, 32% of batches were compliant but with some concerns and 19% of batches were non-compliant. For Surgical Masks, 58% of batches were compliant, 39% of batches compliant but with concerns and 3% of batches were non-compliant. Conclusion The main areas of non-compliance were the breaking strength of the elastic ties and the nose clip but these alone were not considered to make the Masks unacceptable. Only Mask appearance and face-fit results were decisive non-compliance criteria.
Karen Choong - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Decontamination Interventions for the Reuse of Surgical Mask Personal Protective Equipment: A Protocol for an Updated Systematic Review
2021Co-Authors: David J Zorko, Katie O'hearn, Tri Dinh, Lindsey Sikora, Karen Choong, James Dayre Mcnally, Jess GibsonAbstract:The COVID-19 pandemic has placed Surgical and medical faceMask PPE in high demand. Their use spans a variety of healthcare settings and many hospitals have implemented universal Masking policies. Furthermore, the emergence of COVID-19 variants with greater transmissibility and infectivity has led some countries to recommend or mandate widespread public use of 3-layer medical Masks in lieu of homemade Masks or face coverings. Since the publication of our original systematic review, COVID-19-related literature has evolved from >2000 citations in mid-March 2020 to >80,000 citations by the beginning of December 2020. Coupled with the protracted course of the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to threaten faceMask PPE supply and demand, an updated systematic review on decontamination interventions for Surgical Masks is needed to reflect critical new evidence in order to best inform clinicians, infection control experts, and public health administrators on how best to advise safe decontamination and reuse practices. The objective of this systematic review is to update a previously conducted systematic review and identify and synthesize new data from published studies evaluating interventions used to decontaminate or treat Surgical Mask PPE for the purposes of reuse.
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Decontamination interventions for the reuse of Surgical Mask personal protective equipment: a systematic review.
The Journal of hospital infection, 2020Co-Authors: David J Zorko, Shira Gertsman, Nicholas Timmerman, Nasser Ambu-ali, Tri Dinh, Margaret Sampson, Lindsey Sikora, Katie O’hearn, James Dayre Mcnally, Karen ChoongAbstract:SUMMARY Background The high demand for personal protective equipment during the novel coronavirus outbreak has prompted the need to develop strategies to conserve supply. Little is known regarding decontamination interventions to allow for Surgical Mask reuse. Aim To identify and synthesize data from original research evaluating interventions to decontaminate Surgical Masks for the purpose of reuse. Methods MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, Global Health, the WHO COVID-19 database, Google Scholar, DisasterLit, preprint servers, and prominent journals from inception to April 8th, 2020, were searched for prospective original research on decontamination interventions for Surgical Masks. Citation screening was conducted independently in duplicate. Study characteristics, interventions, and outcomes were extracted from included studies by two independent reviewers. Outcomes of interest included impact of decontamination interventions on Surgical Mask performance and germicidal effects. Findings Seven studies met eligibility criteria: one evaluated the effects of heat and chemical interventions applied after Mask use on Mask performance, and six evaluated interventions applied prior to Mask use to enhance antimicrobial properties and/or Mask performance. Mask performance and germicidal effects were evaluated with heterogeneous test conditions. Safety outcomes were infrequently evaluated. Mask performance was best preserved with dry heat decontamination. Good germicidal effects were observed in salt-, N-halamine-, and nanoparticle-coated Masks. Conclusion There is limited evidence on the safety or efficacy of Surgical Mask decontamination. Given the heterogeneous methods used in studies to date, we are unable to draw conclusions on the most efficacious and safe intervention for decontaminating Surgical Masks.
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Decontamination Interventions for the Reuse of Surgical Mask Personal Protective Equipment: A Systematic Review
2020Co-Authors: David J Zorko, Shira Gertsman, Katie O'hearn, Nicholas Timmerman, Nasser Ambu-ali, Tri Dinh, Margaret Sampson, Lindsey Sikora, Dayre Mcnally, Karen ChoongAbstract:Background: The high demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) during the novel coronavirus outbreak has created global shortages and prompted the need to develop strategies to conserve supply. Surgical Mask PPE have a broad application of use in a pandemic setting, but little is known regarding decontamination interventions to allow for their reuse. Objective: Identify and synthesize data from original published studies evaluating interventions to decontaminate Surgical Masks for the purpose of reuse. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, Global Health, the WHO COVID-19 database, Google Scholar, DisasterLit, preprint servers, and prominent journals from inception to April 8, 2020 for prospective original research on decontamination interventions for Surgical Mask PPE. Citation screening was conducted independently in duplicate. Study characteristics, interventions, and outcomes were extracted from included studies by two independent reviewers. Outcomes of interest included impact of decontamination interventions on Surgical Mask performance and germicidal effects. Results: Seven studies met eligibility criteria: one evaluated the effects of heat and chemical decontamination interventions applied after Mask use on Mask performance, and six evaluated interventions applied prior to Mask use to enhance antimicrobial properties and/or Mask performance. Mask performance and germicidal effects were both evaluated in heterogenous test conditions across a variety of Mask samples (whole Masks and pieces or individual Mask layers). Safety outcomes were infrequently evaluated. Mask performance was best preserved with dry heat decontamination. Germicidal effects were best in salt-, N-halamine- and nanoparticle-coated Masks. Conclusion: There is limited evidence on the safety or efficacy of Surgical Mask decontamination. Given the heterogenous methods used in the studies to date, we are unable to draw conclusions on the most appropriate, safest intervention(s) for decontaminating Surgical Masks for the purpose of reuse.
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DECONTAMINATION INTERVENTIONS FOR THE REUSE OF Surgical Mask PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE): A PROTOCOL FOR A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
2020Co-Authors: David J Zorko, Katie O'hearn, Margaret Sampson, Dayre Mcnally, Karen Choong, Lindsey SikoraAbstract:As the global spread of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) escalates, the high demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) has created shortages of this equipment globally and prompted the need to ensure appropriate stewardship and develop strategies to conserve supply. Surgical Masks have broad and commonplace applications as PPE, including in the care of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients, and for the care of the general patient population in areas where community spread of COVID-19 is of concern. Surgical Mask rationing and conservation is therefore a priority to ensure adequate supply during a pandemic. Several methods have been considered to decontaminate and allow the reuse of single-use PPE, such as hydrogen peroxide vapour and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, but to date this literature has not been comprehensively synthesized. The objective of this systematic review is to identify and synthesize data from published studies evaluating interventions used to decontaminate or treat Surgical Mask PPE for the purposes of reuse.
Joost Hopman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Comparative Performance Testing of Respirator versus Surgical Mask Using a Water Droplet Spray Model.
International journal of environmental research and public health, 2021Co-Authors: Paul T.j. Scheepers, Heiman F. L. Wertheim, Maurice Van Dael, R.b.m. Anzion, H.j. Holterman, Steven Teerenstra, Martijn De Groot, Andreas Voss, Joost HopmanAbstract:Background. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there was shortage of the standard respiratory protective equipment (RPE). The aim of this study was to develop a procedure to test the performance of alternative RPEs used in the care of COVID-19 patients. Methods. A laboratory-based test was developed to compare RPEs by total inward leakage (TIL). We used a crossflow nebulizer to produce a jet spray of 1–100 µm water droplets with a fluorescent marker. The RPEs were placed on a dummy head and sprayed at distances of 30 and 60 cm. The outcome was determined as the recovery of the fluorescent marker on a membrane filter placed on the mouth of the dummy head. Results. At 30 cm, a type IIR Surgical Mask gave a 17.7% lower TIL compared with an FFP2 respirator. At 60 cm, this difference was similar, with a 21.7% lower TIL for the Surgical Mask compared to the respirator. When adding a face shield, the TIL at 30 cm was further reduced by 9.5% for the respirator and 16.6% in the case of the Surgical Mask. Conclusions. A safe, fast and very sensitive test method was developed to assess the effectiveness of RPE by comparison under controlled conditions.