A crossover trial comparing contamination of healthcare personnel during removal of a standard gown versus a modified gown with increased skin coverage at the hands and wrists

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 1278-1280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeina Hajar ◽  
Thriveen S. C. Mana ◽  
Myreen E. Tomas ◽  
Heba Alhmidi ◽  
Brigid M. Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Crossover Trial ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Skin Coverage

AbstractIn a crossover trial, a gown designed to increase skin coverage at the hands and wrists significantly reduced contamination of personnel during personal protective equipment (PPE) removal, and education on donning and doffing technique further reduced contamination. Simple modifications of PPE and education can reduce contamination during PPE removal.

A Randomized Trial of Two Cover Gowns Comparing Contamination of Healthcare Personnel During Removal of Personal Protective Equipment

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thriveen S. C. Mana ◽  
Myreen E. Tomas ◽  
Jennifer L. Cadnum ◽  
Annette L. Jencson ◽  
Christina T. Piedrahita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Trial ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Infect Control Hosp ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Skin Coverage

In a randomized trial, a gown designed to allow easy removal at the neck and with increased skin coverage and snugness of fit at the wrist significantly reduced contamination of personnel during personal protective equipment (PPE) removal. Our results suggest that simple modifications of PPE can reduce contamination of personnel.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:97–100

scholarly journals COVID-19 global pandemic planning: Dry heat incubation and ambient temperature fail to consistently inactivate SARS-CoV-2 on N95 respirators

2020 ◽  
pp. 153537022097781
Author(s):  
Douglas J Perkins ◽  
Robert A Nofchissey ◽  
Chunyan Ye ◽  
Nathan Donart ◽  
Alison Kell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Dry Heat ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Individual Site ◽  
Pandemic Planning ◽  
N95 Respirators

The ongoing pandemic of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has placed a substantial strain on the supply of personal protective equipment, particularly the availability of N95 respirators for frontline healthcare personnel. These shortages have led to the creation of protocols to disinfect and reuse potentially contaminated personal protective equipment. A simple and inexpensive decontamination procedure that does not rely on the use of consumable supplies is dry heat incubation. Although reprocessing with this method has been shown to maintain the integrity of N95 respirators after multiple decontamination procedures, information on the ability of dry heat incubation to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 is largely unreported. Here, we show that dry heat incubation does not consistently inactivate SARS-CoV-2-contaminated N95 respirators, and that variation in experimental conditions can dramatically affect viability of the virus. Furthermore, we show that SARS-CoV-2 can survive on N95 respirators that remain at room temperature for at least five days. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that dry heat incubation procedures and ambient temperature for five days are not viable methods for inactivating SARS-CoV-2 on N95 respirators for potential reuse. We recommend that decontamination procedures being considered for the reuse of N95 respirators be validated at each individual site and that validation of the process must be thoroughly conducted using a defined protocol.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemisinde Enfeksiyon Kontrol Çalışmaları Çerçevesinde Çocuk Hastalarla Çalışan Sağlık Personeli Eğitimi

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-200
Author(s):  
Pembe Derin Oygar ◽  
Ayşe Büyükçam ◽  
Zümrüt Şahbudak Bal ◽  
Nazan Dalgıç ◽  
Şefika Elmas Bozdemir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Great Risk ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Applied Education

Objective: In the early stages of any epidemic caused by new emerging pathogens healthcare personnel is subject to a great risk. Pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, proved to be no exception. Many healthcare workers died in the early stages of pandemic due to inadequate precautions and insufficient protection. It is essential to protect and maintain the safety of healthcare personnel for the confinement of pandemic as well as continuity of qualified healthcare services which is already under strain. Educating healthcare personnel on appropiate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is as essential as procuring them. Material and Methods: A survey is conducted on 4927 healthcare personnel working solely with pediatric patients from 32 different centers. Education given on PPE usage were questioned and analyzed depending on age, sex, occupation and region. Results: Among four thousand nine hundred twelve healthcare personnel from 32 different centers 91% (n= 4457) received education on PPE usage. Of those who received education only 36% was given both theoretical and applied education. Although there was no differences among different occupation groups, receiving education depended on regions. Conclusion: It is essential to educate healthcare personnel appropiately nationwidely for the continuity of qualified healthcare services during the pandemic.

scholarly journals Are Healthcare Personnel Trained in Correct Use of Personal Protective Equipment?

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amrita John ◽  
Myreen Tomas ◽  
Jennifer Cadnum ◽  
Thriveen S.C. Mana ◽  
Annette Jencson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Protective Equipment

Utility of a Novel Reflective Marker Visualized by Flash Photography for Assessment of Personnel Contamination During Removal of Personal Protective Equipment

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 711-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myreen E. Tomas ◽  
Jennifer L. Cadnum ◽  
Thriveen S.C. Mana ◽  
Annette L. Jencson ◽  
Sreelatha Koganti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Infect Control Hosp ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Bacteriophage Ms2

In an experimental study, the frequency of contamination of healthcare personnel during removal of contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) was similar for bacteriophage MS2 and a novel reflective marker visualized using flash photography. The reflective marker could be a useful tool to visualize and document personnel contamination during PPE removal.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:711–713

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Redesigned Personal Protective Equipment Gown

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. S199-S205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank A Drews ◽  
Diane Mulvey ◽  
Kristina Stratford ◽  
Matthew H Samore ◽  
Jeanmarie Mayer
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Patient Simulator ◽  
Task Load ◽  
Load Ratings

Abstract Background In healthcare, the goal of personal protective equipment (PPE) is to protect healthcare personnel (HCP) and patients from body fluids and infectious organisms via contact, droplet, or airborne transmission. The critical importance of using PPE properly is highlighted by 2 potentially fatal viral infections, severe acute respiratory syndrome–associated coronavirus and Ebola virus, where HCP became infected while caring for patients due to errors in the use of PPE. However, PPE in dealing with less dangerous, but highly infectious organisms is important as well. This work proposes a framework to test and evaluate PPE with a focus on gown design. Methods An observational study identified issues with potential for contamination related to gown use. After redesigning the existing gown, a high-fidelity patient simulator study with 40 HCP as participants evaluated the gown redesign using 2 commonly performed tasks. Variables of interest were nonadherence to procedural standards, use problems with the gown during task performance, and usability and cognitive task load ratings of the standard and redesigned gowns. Results While no differences were found in terms of nonadherence and use problems between the current and the redesigned gown, differences in usability and task load ratings suggested that the redesigned gown is perceived more favorably by HCP. Conclusions This work proposes a framework to guide the evaluation of PPE. The results suggest that the current design of the PPE gown can be improved in usability and user satisfaction. Although our data did not find an increase in adherence to protocol when using the redesigned gown, it is likely that higher usability and lower task load could result in higher adherence over longer periods of use.

scholarly journals Effective disinfecting of protective devices used in the course of treating SARS-CoV2–positive patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 175717742110333
Author(s):  
Moarie Grace Tan ◽  
Tang Gui Feng ◽  
Lim Teck Liang ◽  
Sabrina BL Koh ◽  
Ong Biauw Chi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Medical Team ◽  
Stock Management ◽  
Surface Disinfection ◽  
Work Shift ◽  
Disinfection Methods ◽  
Protective Devices ◽  
Thermal Disinfection

Background: Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) was widely used in Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. Ensuring a sustained supply of clean and reusable PAPR masks for frontline medical team is an immediate challenge. The Central Sterile Supplies Unit (CSSU) adopts existing disinfection methods and technology for the reprocessing of reusable personal protective equipment (PPE) such as PAPR masks and goggles. Objective: To determine an effective disinfecting method for protective devices used in the course of treating SARS-CoV2–positive patients. Method: A comparison on surface disinfection and modified thermal disinfection outcome was conducted on 30 PAPR masks through detecting the presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by swab following both disinfecting methods. Results: The modified thermal cycles emerged as the recommended disinfection method. Discussion: The outcome of this study has enhanced understanding on the risk imposed on frontline healthcare personnel who perform surface disinfecting on masks for reuse during the work shift. Leveraging on the current expertise from existing instrument logistics, CSSU takes charge of the processing and stock management of SKH’s PAPR masks. An additional workflow is needed to establish reprocessing methods for other reusable PPEs such as face shields or overalls.

scholarly journals 433. Role of Community Vaccination Coverage in Controlling Future COVID-19 Outbreaks in Nursing Homes: A Modeling Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S319-S319
Author(s):  
Brajendra K Singh ◽  
Joseph Walker ◽  
Prabasaj Paul ◽  
Sujan Reddy ◽  
John A Jernigan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Vaccine Dose ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
High Adherence

Abstract Background As of May 2, 2021, U.S. nursing homes (NHs) have reported >651,000 COVID-19 cases and >132,000 deaths to CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network. Since U.S. COVID-19 vaccination coverage is increasing, we investigate the role of vaccination in controlling future COVID-19 outbreaks. Methods We developed a stochastic, compartmental model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a theoretical 100-bed NH with a staff of 99 healthcare personnel (HCP) in a community of 20,000 people. We modeled admission and discharge of residents (parameterized with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data), assuming the following: temporary replacement of HCP when tested positive; daily visits to NH residents; isolation of COVID-19 positive residents; personal protective equipment (PPE) use by HCP; and symptom-based testing of residents and staff plus weekly asymptomatic testing of HCP and facility-wide outbreak testing once a COVID-19 case is identified. We systematically varied coverage of an mRNA vaccine among residents and HCP, and in the community. Simulations also varied PPE adherence, defined as the percentage of time in the facility that HCP properly used recommended PPE (25%, 50% or 75% of the time). Infection was initialized in the community with 40 infectious cases, and initial infection in the NH was allowed after 14 days of vaccine dose 1. Simulations were run for 6 months after dose 2 in the NH. Results were summarized over 1000 simulations. Results At 60% community coverage, expected cumulative symptomatic resident cases over 6 months were ≤5, due to low importation of COVID-19 infection from the community, with further reduction at higher coverage among HCP (Figure 1). Uncertainty bounds narrowed as NH resident coverage or PPE adherence increased. Results were similar if testing of staff and residents stopped. Probability of an outbreak within 4 weeks of dose 2 remained below 5% with high community coverage (Figure 2). Figure 1. Drop in symptomatic cases in nursing home (NH) residents with rise in COVID-19 vaccine coverage in the community, increase in personal protective equipment (PPE) adherence, or increase in coverage among NH residents. In each panel, we plotted the mean number of cumulative symptomatic cases of COVID-19 in NH residents after 6 months since vaccine dose 2 (given 28 days after dose 1) and their 90% confidence interval (CI) for three healthcare personnel (HCP) coverage scenarios: 40%, 60%, or 80%. Coverage in HCP was independently modeled of community coverage. The top row is for NH resident coverage of 65%, the middle for 75%, and the bottom row for 85%. The columns (left to right) are for facility-level PPE adherence of 25% (low adherence), 50% (intermediate adherence), and 75% (high adherence). Weekly asymptomatic testing of HCP and twice-weekly outbreak testing in the facility were modeled with an assumed point-of-care test sensitivity of 80% (symptomatic persons) and 60% (asymptomatic persons) and with specificity of 100% and test turnaround time of 15 minutes. Figure 2. Probability of a COVID-19 outbreak in a nursing home (NH) decreased with increase in vaccine coverage in the community or in healthcare personnel (HCP). An outbreak is defined as an occurrence of 2 or more cases within 4 weeks of dose 2. Probability of no outbreak was calculated by counting how many simulations out of a total of 1000 simulations had ≤1 symptomatic case in NH residents or HCP within 4 weeks after dose 2 was administered in the nursing home. The first vaccine dose in residents and HCP was assumed to be given on day 1, and the second dose 28 days later. A probability value and its 90%-confidence interval (CI) at a given community and HCP coverage was calculated by pooling model outputs for 9 sets (3 PPE adherence values X 3 resident coverage levels) of model simulations. Simulations were performed assuming no asymptomatic testing or facility-wide outbreak testing. Conclusion Results suggest that increasing community vaccination coverage leads to fewer infections in NH residents. Testing asymptomatic residents and staff may have limited value when vaccination coverage is high. High adherence to recommended PPE may increase the likelihood that future COVID-19 outbreaks can be contained. Disclosures John A. Jernigan, MD, MS, Nothing to disclose

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