Any hospitals using reusable PPE?

[RoyBasch]

I am aware of the fact that many of us are re-using PPE in a way not compliant with the original manufacturer's instructions (e.g. sterilizing and reusing standard N95s x1-5), but are any hospitals using en masse re-usable PPE?

It seems the current strategy of most institutions is simply trying to acquire more disposable PPE, perhaps we should switch our strategy from getting larger quantities of more disposable PPE to using PPE that is purpose built for decontamination/sterilization and re-use.

Currently hospitals use:

paper/disposable N95 mask (designed to be thrown away after each use)

cheap plastic face shields or goggles (designed to be thrown away after each use)

yellow isolation gowns (designed to be thrown away after each use)

regular exam gloves

Could they switch to using:

3M cartridge-style respirators (the respirator can be soaked in bleach solution and the hard filters can be wiped down with sani-wipes)

Hard plastic face shields or goggles (like the kinds used by machinists) (could be soaked in bleach solution or wiped down with sani-wipes)

Re-usable surgical gowns (like the kind used by SRI/surgical express) (designed to be washed and then autoclaved)

regular exam gloves (seems shortages of these are less common)

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[RustedFox]

My shop is using UV-light sterilization, but not ensuring that YOUR mask gets back to YOU.
That's not acceptable to me.

 

[wholeheartedly]

We’re rural critical access. Monday we’ll start UV disinfection of N95s and some other gear. We have the disposable yellow gowns, but also a variety of hazmat type suits donated by oil companies, some of which should be possible to disinfect and reuse. We’re also using a variety of face shields including more sturdy ones that can be disinfected as well.

 

[MechEDoc]

My shop is using UV-light sterilization, but not ensuring that YOUR mask gets back to YOU.
That's not acceptable to me.

Battele appears to have the only approved sterilization approach for N95s. Other approaches might work, but I'm not betting on them.

 

[RustedFox]

Battele appears to have the only approved sterilization approach for N95s. Other approaches might work, but I'm not betting on them.

Elaborate?

 

[MechEDoc]

Battelle has a vapor phase H2O2 system that has FDA approval for cleaning N95s. Your hospital can ship them masks, they will clean them and ship them back. I'm not sure if a hospital can purchase a system for onsite use. As far as I'm aware, every other approach is both against 3M recommendations (if you have a 3M product) and is without FDA approval. The Battelle system is probably against 3M recs, but is FDA approved. Much more rigorous than x days in a paper bag.

Battelle | It Can Be Done

Battelle is a global research and development organization committed to science and technology for the greater good. At Battelle, it can be done.

www.battelle.org

 

[maxxor]

Battelle has a vapor phase H2O2 system that has FDA approval for cleaning N95s. Your hospital can ship them masks, they will clean them and ship them back. I'm not sure if a hospital can purchase a system for onsite use. As far as I'm aware, every other approach is both against 3M recommendations (if you have a 3M product) and is without FDA approval. The Battelle system is probably against 3M recs, but is FDA approved. Much more rigorous than x days in a paper bag.

Battelle | It Can Be Done

Battelle is a global research and development organization committed to science and technology for the greater good. At Battelle, it can be done.

www.battelle.org

Partners healthcare and Duke have partnered with Battelle for on site.

 

[cyanide12345678]

I am aware of the fact that many of us are re-using PPE in a way not compliant with the original manufacturer's instructions (e.g. sterilizing and reusing standard N95s x1-5), but are any hospitals using en masse re-usable PPE?

It seems the current strategy of most institutions is simply trying to acquire more disposable PPE, perhaps we should switch our strategy from getting larger quantities of more disposable PPE to using PPE that is purpose built for decontamination/sterilization and re-use.

Currently hospitals use:

paper/disposable N95 mask (designed to be thrown away after each use)

cheap plastic face shields or goggles (designed to be thrown away after each use)

yellow isolation gowns (designed to be thrown away after each use)

regular exam gloves

Could they switch to using:

3M cartridge-style respirators (the respirator can be soaked in bleach solution and the hard filters can be wiped down with sani-wipes)

Hard plastic face shields or goggles (like the kinds used by machinists) (could be soaked in bleach solution or wiped down with sani-wipes)

Re-usable surgical gowns (like the kind used by SRI/surgical express) (designed to be washed and then autoclaved)

regular exam gloves (seems shortages of these are less common)

I've personally started wearing a 3M 7502 respirator with p100 cartridges. Bought them on ebay. I talked to the infection control person to look into supplying everyone with one of the reusable masks as a more cost effective answer to the PPE shortage.

Otherwise my hospital already has the reusable gowns that get washed and the reusable goggles and face shields.

 

[Angry Birds]

I've personally started wearing a 3M 7502 respirator with p100 cartridges. Bought them on ebay. I talked to the infection control person to look into supplying everyone with one of the reusable masks as a more cost effective answer to the PPE shortage.

Otherwise my hospital already has the reusable gowns that get washed and the reusable goggles and face shields.

I have a p100 as well. It smashes my face and destroys my nose. Does yours fit well?

EDIT: I switched from a half-face p100 to a full face one.... The full face one is way more comfortable. And I can breathe very easily in it. The only problem is: I look like I've come down from space and the nurses poke fun at it, lol.

 

[Angry Birds]

I am aware of the fact that many of us are re-using PPE in a way not compliant with the original manufacturer's instructions (e.g. sterilizing and reusing standard N95s x1-5), but are any hospitals using en masse re-usable PPE?

It seems the current strategy of most institutions is simply trying to acquire more disposable PPE, perhaps we should switch our strategy from getting larger quantities of more disposable PPE to using PPE that is purpose built for decontamination/sterilization and re-use.

Currently hospitals use:

paper/disposable N95 mask (designed to be thrown away after each use)

cheap plastic face shields or goggles (designed to be thrown away after each use)

yellow isolation gowns (designed to be thrown away after each use)

regular exam gloves

Could they switch to using:

3M cartridge-style respirators (the respirator can be soaked in bleach solution and the hard filters can be wiped down with sani-wipes)

Hard plastic face shields or goggles (like the kinds used by machinists) (could be soaked in bleach solution or wiped down with sani-wipes)

Re-usable surgical gowns (like the kind used by SRI/surgical express) (designed to be washed and then autoclaved)

regular exam gloves (seems shortages of these are less common)

These are all good recommendations, including switching to p100 respirators

 

[cyanide12345678]

I have a p100 as well. It smashes my face and destroys my nose. Does yours fit well?

EDIT: I switched from a half-face p100 to a full face one.... The full face one is way more comfortable. And I can breathe very easily in it. The only problem is: I look like I've come down from space and the nurses poke fun at it, lol.

I mean it's uncomfortable. It feels really good to take the damn thing off. The disposable n95 is alot more uncomfortable though. But safety is a priority I feel. I'm sure wearing a mask is less painful than being vented for several days 😛

 

[RustedFox]

Just got my p100. Seems to fit pretty well in terms of comfort, and it definitely passed the "occlude this port and breath in" test.
That plus full swim-mask goggles and I feel pretty safe.

 

[Modstopizdy]

Starting residency in July and just purchased a 3M half respirator and cartridges from ebay. My main concern is that I will not be allowed to wear it by admin, so I'm in the insane situation where widespread deaths among HCWs at my program before my start date may actually be in my personal self interest. Administrators are literally a cancer that has to be excised with extreme prejudice.

 

[bravotwozero]

ACEP, AAEM, OSHA, and the Joint commission are on your side. If you get pushback, show them written statements. If that doesn’t work, ask for the policy in writing before you put yourself in danger. Do what you need to do to stay safe. Your life, and that of your colleagues and patients, is more important.

If they are still dumb enough to fire you for this, then it’s time to go nuclear. Name and shame the hospital, and the administrators and post their contact info online, file a complaint with OSHA, contact AAEM for legal assistance, contact local news outlets, the mayors office and your congressional representative. I assure you the backlash will be quite severe.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RustedFox]

Starting residency in July and just purchased a 3M half respirator and cartridges from ebay. My main concern is that I will not be allowed to wear it by admin, so I'm in the insane situation where widespread deaths among HCWs at my program before my start date may actually be in my personal self interest. Administrators are literally a cancer that has to be excised with extreme prejudice.

This guy gets it.

 

[deleted836128]

Does it matter what type of P100 filter you use? I bought these on eBay and someone said they aren’t any good but didn’t explain why...

3M 2091 Filter for 3M 6200 6500 6502 7500 Half Facepiece Respiratory | eBay

3M 2091 Filter for 3M 6200 6500 6502 7500 Facepiece Respiratory Particulate Mask. The 2091 can be used with 3M's wide variety of half and full face piece designs. 2 pcs 2091 Filter. Passing NlOSH's P-series test criteria, the 2097 P 100 filter provides a minimum 99.97 percent filter efficiency.

www.ebay.com

 

[deleted109597]

Does it matter what type of P100 filter you use? I bought these on eBay and someone said they aren’t any good but didn’t explain why...

3M 2091 Filter for 3M 6200 6500 6502 7500 Half Facepiece Respiratory | eBay

3M 2091 Filter for 3M 6200 6500 6502 7500 Facepiece Respiratory Particulate Mask. The 2091 can be used with 3M's wide variety of half and full face piece designs. 2 pcs 2091 Filter. Passing NlOSH's P-series test criteria, the 2097 P 100 filter provides a minimum 99.97 percent filter efficiency.

www.ebay.com

Those are fine. I promise.

 

[deleted836128]

Those are fine. I promise.

Thank you so very much.

 

[erdoc00]

Dont worry guys the hospitals and CMGs have only your safety and best interests in mind. As such they have deemed that it is now safe for you to re-use your condoms between customers. Kissing on the lips remains unapproved however.

 

[erdoc00]

Also, still no coffee allowed at your workstations because that is gross and unsanitary.

 

[MechEDoc]

Does it matter what type of P100 filter you use? I bought these on eBay and someone said they aren’t any good but didn’t explain why...

3M 2091 Filter for 3M 6200 6500 6502 7500 Half Facepiece Respiratory | eBay

3M 2091 Filter for 3M 6200 6500 6502 7500 Facepiece Respiratory Particulate Mask. The 2091 can be used with 3M's wide variety of half and full face piece designs. 2 pcs 2091 Filter. Passing NlOSH's P-series test criteria, the 2097 P 100 filter provides a minimum 99.97 percent filter efficiency.

www.ebay.com

Those are fine as long as they aren't counterfeit. You're probably fine, try your best to google if it's legit. China counterfeits lots of items including PPE. I'm having the same stresses. I bought some P100s like that from ebay. I was concerned for a while that they weren't legit and eventually sourced some from a US vendor (still, no guarantees). Ugh.

I bought a decent house once that had passed the home inspection comfortably, about 6 months later I was doing some work and learned that the entire breaker panel was counterfeit. Yes, someone in China made counterfeit breakers and then sold them into the regular supply chain (e.g. a US industrial supplier to electricians) and it was then installed in my house. I had to pull every breaker and replace them due to some a-hole in China.

 

[NITRAS]

I like the organic/particulate filters because they can be wiped off.

I just did a fit test and failed with N95 duckbill, but passed with my 3M 7502 mask. Really wish I'd a bought one of the full facemask ones.

 

[cyanide12345678]

Does it matter what type of P100 filter you use? I bought these on eBay and someone said they aren’t any good but didn’t explain why...

3M 2091 Filter for 3M 6200 6500 6502 7500 Half Facepiece Respiratory | eBay

3M 2091 Filter for 3M 6200 6500 6502 7500 Facepiece Respiratory Particulate Mask. The 2091 can be used with 3M's wide variety of half and full face piece designs. 2 pcs 2091 Filter. Passing NlOSH's P-series test criteria, the 2097 P 100 filter provides a minimum 99.97 percent filter efficiency.

www.ebay.com

That's what I'm using. Should be fine

 

[RoyBasch]

Does it matter what type of P100 filter you use? I bought these on eBay and someone said they aren’t any good but didn’t explain why...

3M 2091 Filter for 3M 6200 6500 6502 7500 Half Facepiece Respiratory | eBay

3M 2091 Filter for 3M 6200 6500 6502 7500 Facepiece Respiratory Particulate Mask. The 2091 can be used with 3M's wide variety of half and full face piece designs. 2 pcs 2091 Filter. Passing NlOSH's P-series test criteria, the 2097 P 100 filter provides a minimum 99.97 percent filter efficiency.

www.ebay.com

They are definitely safe and effective for filtering virus, and probably safer than a conventional N95 (filters 99.99% compared to 95%). They are harder to sanitize and maintain. If you have a hard cartridge with a filter recessed inside it you can simply wipe the cartridge with some kind of decon wipe.

The soft filters cannot be wiped or washed with any liquid as this may reduce their efficacy. I am unsure of the efficacy of UV light or heat (may decontaminate but may degrade efficacy) to decontaminate. If you use the soft filters just be careful not to touch them after use as there may be viral particles embedded in the surface and you could contaminate yourself.