With the new COVID-19 outbreaks and shortages of N95 masks: what are the alternatives for the healthcare workers (doctors, dentists, nurses, RTs) who may be in close contact with potential COVID-19 patients?
Would you recommend putting a regular surgical mask and face shield on top of it?
Suggestions with scientific rationale are welcome...
First, there is no indication for using respirators for preventing the transmission of corona virus except in situations where there is risk of aerosolization of droplets, e.g., sprays, splashes, coughs, sneezes etc. Therefore, the misuse should stop. Education and training on when, and how to use it could help reduce the demands.
Secondly, ordinary face mask should be sufficient, if properly used in cases where there is no aerolization, as it is mainly, a deoplet infectious disease.
That should work, particularly if the patient also wears a mask. The clinician should wear a disposable plastic apron and gloves of course, alcogel before donning and after doffing. If clothing is contaminated by secretions it should be changed. Some departments have a supply of theatre shoes for the purpose, overshoes might be an alternative
Article Effectiveness of N95 respirators versus surgical masks again...
N95 Masks (Respirators) can be reused as recommended by CDC
While the commonest transmission of COVID-19 is from droplet spread, the role of direct contact, and aerosol contributing to its spread is still possible.
WHO and CDC recommend use of N95 masks (or respirator) for health care workers but not for public. To reduce the cost involved in the use of N95 masks compared to ordinary face masks, CDC has recommended the reuse of N95 masks.
https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2020/03/25/greater-social-distancing-could-curb-covid-19-in-13-weeks.html
And to reduce the cost and combat shortage of N95 masks Duke researchers have found ways to decontaminate and reuse them
https://indyweek.com/news/durham/duke-researchers-n95-masks/
@ Mohamad-Hani Temsah
Now the results of a small study from Singapore are encouraging regarding the reuse of N95 masks (respirators) in patients with COVID-19.
Whether we can reuse N95 masks till these results are confirmed and whether N95 masks can be reused in ICU settings is still open to questions?
1. Absence of contamination of personal protective equipment (PPE) by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Accepted manuscript in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology 2020.
As per concerned with the masks, multiple layers of the non-surgical mask can be used (filtration of submicron-sized air particles can be increased with multilayered masks). However, for that health personnel who come in direct contact with the infected ones, the N95 mask should not be substituted.
During the screening, surgical masks with PPE (including face shield) should be used and any procedures that might create aerosols or splatter should be avoided.
