Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirator Disinfection Practices Among Healthcare Personnel

Details

• Personal Author:
  Angelilli S ; Chalikonda S ; Chen H ; Fernando R ; Haas E ; Hines SE ; McClain C ; McDiarmid, Melissa A. ; Napoli M ; Sietsema M ; Thurman P ; Waltenbaugh H ; Zhuang E
• Description:
  Background: Disposable N95 respirator shortages during the COVID-19 and 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemics highlighted the need for reusable alternatives, such as elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMRs). Two US medical organizations deployed reusable EHMRs during the COVID-19 response. In addition to wipe-based disinfection following patient care episodes expected per local policies at both organizations, postshift centralized cleaning and disinfection (C&D) was expected at one site (A), permitting shared-pool EHMR use, and optional at the other (Site B), where EHMRs were issued to individuals. Using a survey, we evaluated disinfection practices reported by EHMR users and predictors of disinfection behaviors and perceptions. Methods: Surveys assessed EHMR disinfection practices, occupational characteristics, EHMR use frequency, training, and individual-issue versus shared-pool EHMR use. Results: Of 1080 EHMR users completing the survey, 76% reported that they disinfect the EHMR after each patient encounter, which was the expected practice at both sites. Increasing EHMR use, recall of disinfection training, and work in intensive care or emergency settings significantly influenced higher reporting of this practice. 36% of respondents reported using centralized C&D, although reporting was higher at the site (A) where this was expected (53%). Confidence in cleanliness of the EHMR following centralized C&D was not influenced by individual versus shared-pool EHMR issue. Conclusions: Most EHMR users reported adherence with expected post-care individual-based disinfection of EHMRs but did not necessarily use standardized, centralized C&D. Future efforts to limit reliance on behavior related to respirator disinfection may improve EHMR implementation in healthcare to avert dependence on single-use, disposable N95 respirators. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Communicable Diseases Elastomers Health Personnel Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Respiratory Protective Devices Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Central Sterile Processing Cleaning COVID-19 Decontamination Disinfection Elastomeric Half-mask Respirators Elastomeric Respirators Health Care Personnel Healthcare Personnel N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators Occupational Safety Personal Protective Equipment PPE

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• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Contract
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Maryland ; OSHA Region 3 ; Pennsylvania
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  NPPTL - National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  66
• Issue:
  12
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20068549
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 2023 Dec; 66(12):1056-1068
• Contact Point Address:
  Stella E. Hines, MD, MSPH, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 11 S. Paca St, Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
• Email:
  shines@som.umaryland.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2024
• NORA Priority Area:
  Healthcare and Social Assistance
• Performing Organization:
  University of Maryland
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:a0995cbe1c7e46d34f14cbd346c2a1acf290e77fa644a99db1476e0d7d06ad94ef5a702e9fc20d8fe8bb4e344dbcc6f8434ae91309e5b797dac70170824c28d9
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/207160/cdc_207160_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 729.47 KB ]