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Related Concept Videos

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings II: Doffing01:10

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings II: Doffing

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The sequence of removing or doffing PPE starts with the gloves, as they are the most contaminated. Next is removal of the face shield or goggles, as they would interfere with removing other PPE. Then remove the gown, followed by the mask or respirator. Perform hand hygiene between steps if hands become contaminated and immediately after removing all PPE. Generally, the outside front and sleeves of the isolation gown, the goggles or the mask, the respirator, and the face shield are contaminated.
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Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration01:26

Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration

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Radiation and filtration are essential tools for microbial control, targeting microorganisms through distinct mechanisms. Radiation eliminates microbes by damaging their DNA, either killing them or inhibiting their growth. Based on wavelength, radiation is classified into two types: nonionizing and ionizing radiation.Non-ionizing radiation, such as UV radiation (200–400 nm), is absorbed by DNA, causing defects that effectively disinfect surfaces, air, and water, including safety cabinets.
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PPE Use in Healthcare Settings I: Donning01:22

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings I: Donning

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Donning PPE must be completed before contact with the patient. This process protects from infectious agents. The sequence and action included in each donning are critical, and the steps must be systematic to avoid exposure to pathogens. The institutional policy also needs to be followed while donning PPE. The pre-donning preparations are gathering equipment, inspecting the PPE equipment for tears, holes, or damage, removing jewelry, removing any garments below the elbows, and tying the hair...
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Filtration00:53

Filtration

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Filtration is a physical separation process that involves passing a suspension through a porous medium to separate solids from fluids. During filtration, solids collect on the porous medium while liquids, also collectively known as the filtrate, pass through. The filtration medium is selected based on the filtration purpose, quantity, and nature of the precipitate. The general criteria for a suitable filtering medium are that it is inert, mechanically strong, nonabsorbent toward dissolved...
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Tracheostomy Care II: Procedure01:25

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Tracheostomy care is an essential nursing skill that involves cleaning and maintaining a tracheostomy tube to prevent infection and other complications. Here's a step-by-step guide explaining each procedure with its rationale. Note that disposable gloves are to be worn at all times and changed as often as needed to maintain a sterile work environment, and to protect both patient and healthcare worker.
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene, and put on personal protective equipment: gown, gloves, mask...
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Personal Protective Equipment01:20

Personal Protective Equipment

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Personal protective equipment (PPE) is unique clothing or equipment worn by an employee to minimize or prevent exposure to infectious agents. PPE creates a barrier between the employee and the infectious materials. PPE must be readily available in the patient care area. PPE includes gloves, gowns and aprons, masks and respirators, goggles, face shields, shoes, and headcovers:
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New technique to evaluate decontamination methods for filtering facepiece respirators.

Evanly Vo1, Samy Rengasamy1, Susan Xu1

  • 1National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA.

American Journal of Infection Control
|February 1, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Healthcare experts face N95 respirator shortages during pandemics. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) and moist heat (MH) effectively decontaminate N95 respirators, inactivating viruses without altering properties or leaving toxic byproducts for safe reuse.

Keywords:
DisinfectionInfection controlMS2 virusMoist heatN95 respiratorUVGI

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Area of Science:

  • Infectious Disease
  • Public Health
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) shortages are a significant concern during pandemics.
  • Decontamination and reuse of FFRs is a potential strategy to mitigate shortages.
  • Developing effective decontamination methods requires meeting key criteria: viral inactivation, preservation of respirator properties, and absence of toxic byproducts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) and moist heat (MH) as decontamination methods for N95 FFRs.
  • To assess the efficacy of UVGI and MH in inactivating viruses on FFRs.
  • To determine if UVGI and MH alter FFR properties or leave toxic residues.

Main Methods:

  • FFRs (hydrophilic and hydrophobic) were contaminated with MS2 virus using solution-based, vapor-based, and aerosol-based deposition.
  • UVGI and MH decontamination methods were applied to the contaminated FFRs.
  • Respirator properties and the presence of toxic byproducts were evaluated post-decontamination.

Main Results:

  • Both UVGI and MH methods achieved significant viral inactivation, with >5-log reduction of MS2 virus.
  • In 92% of experiments, viral levels were reduced below the detection limit.
  • Neither UVGI nor MH altered the essential properties of the FFRs or introduced toxic byproducts.

Conclusions:

  • UVGI and MH are promising methods for decontaminating N95 FFRs.
  • These methods support the safe reuse of FFRs during public health emergencies and shortages.
  • The study provides an evaluation technique based on viral inactivation, property preservation, and toxicity assessment.