Objectives:  Before the advent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), use of the powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) in the setting of pulmonary tuberculosis has been controversial. Data regarding health care worker (HCW) perceptions and problems encountered with the use of the PAPRs were lacking.Methodology:  A questionnaire-based survey was conducted of HCWs who had used the PAPR in clinical practice during the SARS outbreak, when use of the PAPR was mandatory and widespread. Evaluations of the question of whether HCWs were receptive to the use of the PAPR and their perceptions of common problems that were encountered were made. Perceptions of comfort, ease of use, visual, hearing, breathing and speech impairment, perceived protection against SARS and usage preferences were recorded.Results:  Only a minority of respondents found the PAPR uncomfortable, despite some interference with communication. Despite its much higher cost, the majority (84%) preferred to use the PAPR rather than the N-95 respirator when treating suspected SARS patients.

However, opinions were equally divided regarding its use when treating patients with pulmonary tuberculosis; with 51% being in favour.Conclusions:  With the advent of highly contagious diseases that pose a major occupational hazard to HCWs, the use of the PAPR has become more acceptable in clinical practice.The CDC recommends the use of surgical masks and respirators in healthcare settings. Importance of Single-use N95 Respirators According to a study of disposable N95 respirators and standard medical face masks conducted by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (IOM) and commissioned by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), "A properly fitted N95 respirator is.the least expensive and the most widely available respirator for protecting healthcare workers and the public against airborne infection." The study also stated, "Properly fitted respirators provide better protection against airborne transmission of infection than do medical masks." As to the question of whether disposable N95 respirators can be safely reused, the study concluded, "without manufacturing modifications, disposable N95 respirators cannot be effectively cleaned or disinfected and should therefore be discarded after each use."

2 Guidance on the use of respirators and face masks continues to be updated. Click here for the most current recommendations from CDC.ionic breeze gp silent air purifier NIOSH-certified respirators (N-95 or higher) are recommended for use during activities that have a high likelihood of generating infectious respiratory aerosols,[c] including the following high-risk situations:sportster air cleaner cover insert Resuscitation of a patientfiltrete room air purifier review Providing direct care for patients with confirmed or suspected pandemic influenza-associated pneumonia In the event of actual or anticipated shortages of N95 respirators: Other NIOSH-certified N-, R-, or P-class respirators should be considered in lieu of the N95 respirator.

If re-useable elastomeric respirators are used, these respirators must be decontaminated according to the manufacturer's instructions after each use. Powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) may be considered for certain workers and tasks Use of N95 respirators for other direct care activities involving patients with confirmed or suspected pandemic influenza is also prudent. Hospital planners should take this into consideration during planning and preparation in their facilities when ordering supplies. In addition, several measures can be employed to minimize the number of personnel required to come in contact with suspected or confirmed pandemic influenza patients, thereby reducing worker exposure and minimizing the demand for respirators. If supplies of N-95 (or higher) respirators are not available, surgical masks can provide benefits against large droplet exposure, and should be worn for all health care activities for patients with confirmed or suspected pandemic-influenza.

Respirator use should be in the context of a complete respiratory protection program in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Detailed information on respiratory protection programs, including fit test procedures, can be accessed at OSHA's Respiratory Protection eTool Respiratory Protection Programs and Respirator Fit Testing When respirator use is necessary, OSHA requires that healthcare facilities have a Written Respiratory Protection Program in place that includes information on how to: Select the correct respirator Ensure employees are medically able to wear respirators Fit test each employee Train employees on proper respirator use Conduct regular program evaluations Comply with recordkeeping requirements Halyard can provide hospitals with a guide to establishing a comprehensive Respiratory Protection Program. This tool will guide you in the creation of a Written Respiratory Protection Program for your facility, in accordance with OSHA requirements.

It provides program checklists, a written program template, and the associated forms and documents necessary to comply with OSHA regulations. Also included are respirator user training and fit test training videos.In addition, complete fit testing kits for N95 respirators are available to assist you in meeting requirements for fit testing any employee that wears a respirator. Please contact your Halyard sales representative for additional information on these resources. Items Per Page: 10 |  Surgery: Patient, Staff, Environment MRSA and other Multi Drug-Resistant Microorganisms Transmission of Nosocomial Infections PPE: Gowns, Gloves & Masks Surgical Face Masks and RespiratorsBy Ronald D. Gardner Pesticide Management Education Program Not too long ago the Worker Protection Standard was enacted and it required significant changes in pesticide labels. changes that clearly helped applicators, was that more specific respiratorThese requirements clearly listed, by designation, the

respiratory protection device required for protection of the pesticideWe all know the adage the "label is the law" meaning that if the label says to wear a TC-21C respirator while mixing and handling a pesticide that that is the only legal respirator to use. But, what if there are no TC-21C respirators to be found? It seems that changes made by the federal agencies charged with protecting our health will make the situation described above not a fantasy but a reality. But please, don’t panic or start writing your Congressman, just read on and find out how this transition from old to new will What Changes Were Made and Who is Responsible The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health or NIOSH is the government group that tests safety devices such as respirators. In July 1995, NIOSH upgraded the tests used to certify non-powered particulateThis upgrade replaces the old standards established under 30 CFR Part 11, with new standards found in 42 CFR Part 84.

So Part 11 respirators were certified under "old" standards, and Part 84 respirators were certified underThe major differences are in the resistance of the respirator to oil and better removal of small particles. Part 84 respirators will be designated as "N" (no oil), "R" (oil-resistant for 8 hours) or "P" (oil-proof may last longer than 8 hours). This means that "R" and "P" Part 84 respirators assure that oils will not degrade filter efficiency. Part 84 respirators will also have a better particle collection efficiency, down to the 0.3 micron range. They will do a better job than Part 11 respirators in filtering out smaller particulants such as mold spores or silica. Part 84 respirators will have an efficiency designation of 95, 99 or 100. A type 95 is 95% efficient while a type 99 is 99% efficient and the type 100 is the most efficient and equivalent to theThe type 100 respirators will be designated "HE" (high efficiency) and will be used with powered air-purifying respirators.

There are also changes in terms and product names that will become familiar to us over time. The old term "dust/mist" respirator will now be replaced with "filtering facepiece" respirator. They may also go by theOrganic vapor (OV) removing cartridge respirators once designated TC-23C will still have the same name, but they will list which filters or prefilters can be used, such as N, R or P. The color coding of organic vapor cartridges will not change. They will still have white letters on Who is Affected and What Impacts Will These Changes Make?Particularly if you currently use a NIOSH-approved non-powered air-purifying respirator specified on a pesticideThis includes dust/mist masks and organic vapor-removing cartridge respirators with a pre-filter approved for pesticides. During the last year, respirator manufacturers have been making the new Part 84 respirators. July 10, 1998, the manufacture of the older Part 11 respirators has stopped.

Don’t throw out the old respirators though, because EPA will still allow you toAlso, it is okay to buy a new Part 84 respirator! EPA issued a policy statement May 7, 1998 in the Federal Register (Vol. 63, No. 88) and stated that all of the new respirators (Part 84) meet or exceed all of the standards for the old ones (Part 11). Therefore, EPA will not initiate enforcement actions against applicators who merely substitute the new respirator for an old one, even if the label specifies the old respirator. pesticide labels have not yet changed to reflect the new NIOSH designations, they will in the near future. The new labels will have both the old Part 11 and the new Part 84 designations. Later, when supplies of old respirators is gone, EPA will have labels changed again to list only the Part 84 designations. you can continue to use your old particulate respirators, filters and pre-filters until you are ready to purchase new ones.

estimate they may have three years of inventory in the channels of trade. sales and use of older respirators will not be impacted, until the supply isFor powered air-purifying respirators, HEPA filters will remain available. The appropriate designation under the new Part 84 rules would be a type 100. Will There be Changes in Selecting a New Respirator?There are three new questions that must be answered when selecting a Part 84 respirator. They have to do with selecting the type of filter and the efficiency of that filter. Here is a table that sketches out the Does the chemical, formulation or tank mix contain oil? Choose "R" or "P" filter or pre-filter. Choose either an "N", "R" or "P" filter or pre-filter. Will the respirator be used more than 8 hours with an oil-containing chemical? Choose a "P" filter or pre-filter. Choose an "R" or a "P" filter or pre-filter. The third question "Which filter efficiency do I choose?,"

requires a little discussion. For all practical purposes, there are two choices the type 95 and the type 100, because most manufacturers probably will not make both the type 99 and 100, but only the 100 or HE filter or pre-filter. general, rule types 95 and 100 are both good for most pesticide uses so they areWhen the job requires a HEPA or type 100 respirator the selection should then be the "HE" or type 100. The following tables summarise the changes gone over here and perhaps will help to understand the new designations. These changes are for the better. particle removal, better oil resistance and better protection for you the Nine choices based on filter class and efficiency. N-series (not resistant to oils) R-series (resistant to oils for up to 8 hours) Example uses of new respirator designations Pesticide & paint pre-filters Oil Dust Masks (with time limit) Oil containing pesticides or paints (no time limit with organic vapor