N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) and surgical masks are essential in reducing airborne disease transmission, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, currently available FFR’s and masks have major limitations, including masking facial features, waste, and integrity after decontamination. Investigators from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have been working to design a better, reusable respirator that could …
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) conducted an online survey of its 11,922 U.S.-based infection preventionist members on October 22-November 5, 2020. Results from the survey are based on responses from 1,083 infection preventionists located throughout the United States. Here are a few interesting findings regarding PPE and medical supplies: PPE Crisis Standards of Care For …
Researchers from Imperial College London have investigated which products create the longest-lasting protective layer between PPE and skin. They custom-built a “tribometer” to assess friction and used it to test the friction between skin and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which is a common component of PPE. What they found was, the best lubricants were those that were not absorbed into the skin, …
Living in the year of a pandemic has changed the way staff work with our residents. Although PPE such as face masks/shields, gowns, and gloves are essential in lessening the potential spread of COVID-19, it can leave residents and staff feeling “empty”. Many residents have voiced being lonely, sad, depressed, anxious, imprisoned, and disconnected from their loved ones. Staff have …
Health care personnel (HCP) caring for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) might be at high risk for contracting SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Understanding the prevalence of factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection among frontline HCP who care for COVID-19 patients is important for protecting both HCP and their patients. In the CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report posted …
We have all been affected by COVID-19 in some fashion; directly, with family members, residents, co-workers, and friends. Since our industry began restricting visitation, our residents have had to adapt to a new world in the center. There are restrictions on communal dining, activities, outside entertainment, family/friend visitation and so much more! Staff have also had to change the way …
An interesting El Pais article discusses how the coronavirus may be spreading and statistically putting everyone at risk, especially with the holidays upon us! Here are a few facts that I found interesting! Social Gathering in a living room: Six people get together in a private home, one is infected. Some 31% of coronavirus outbreaks recorded in Spain are caused …
A KHN News article says that nursing homes, small physician offices, and rural clinics are being left behind in the rush for N95 masks and other protective gear, exposing some of the country’s most vulnerable populations and their caregivers to COVID-19 while larger, wealthier health care facilities build equipment stockpiles. More than eight months into the pandemic, health care leaders …
Surge capacity refers to the ability to manage a sudden increase in patient volume that would severely challenge or exceed the present capacity of a facility. While there are no widely accepted measurements or triggers to distinguish surge capacity from daily patient care capacity, surge capacity is a useful framework to approach a decreased supply of gloves during the COVID-19 …
The FEMA PPE Preservation Planning Tool Guide is an instructional guide, to be used with the PPE Preservation Planning Tool (PPEPP Tool, together with the PPE Preservation Planning Toolkit). The PPEPP Tool is designed for user inputs leading to estimates of the benefits of preservation practices you may implement. This tool guide is designed to guide healthcare facilities, first responder …
