COVID-19 global pandemic planning: Decontamination and reuse processes for N95 respirators

Author:

Perkins Douglas J12ORCID,Villescas Steven3,Wu Terry H4,Muller Timothy5,Bradfute Steven1,Hurwitz Ivy1,Cheng Qiuying1,Wilcox Hannah6,Weiss Myissa6,Bartlett Chris7,Langsjoen Jens7,Seidenberg Phil28

Affiliation:

1. Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Global Health, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA

2. University of New Mexico-Kenya Programs, Kisumu and Siaya, 40100, Kenya

3. Facilities Safety, University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA

4. Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine, Center for Infectious Disease and Immunity, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA

5. Office of Research, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA

6. School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA

7. Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA

8. Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an illness caused by a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease was first identified as a cluster of respiratory illness in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019, and has rapidly spread across the globe to greater than 200 countries. Healthcare providers are at an increased risk for contracting the disease due to occupational exposure and require appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including N95 respirators. The rapid worldwide spread of high numbers of COVID-19 cases has facilitated the need for a substantial supply of PPE that is largely unavailable in many settings, thereby creating critical shortages. Creative solutions for the decontamination and safe reuse of PPE to protect our frontline healthcare personnel are essential. Here, we describe the development of a process that began in late February 2020 for selecting and implementing the use of hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) as viable method to reprocess N95 respirators. Since pre-existing HPV decontamination chambers were not available, we optimized the sterilization process in an operating room after experiencing initial challenges in other environments. Details are provided about the prioritization and implementation of processes for collection and storage, pre-processing, HPV decontamination, and post-processing of filtering facepiece respirators. Important lessons learned from this experience include, developing an adequate reserve of PPE for effective reprocessing and distribution, and identifying a suitable location with optimal environmental controls (i.e. operating room). Collectively, information presented here provides a framework for other institutions considering decontamination procedures for N95 respirators. Impact statement There is a critical shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) around the globe. This article describes the safe collection, storage, and decontamination of N95 respirators using hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV). This article is unique because it describes the HPV process in an operating room, and is therefore, a deployable method for many healthcare settings. Results presented here offer creative solutions to the current PPE shortage.

Funder

University of New Mexico

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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