Archive for: Respiratory Protection
IC associations make a plea for modified H1N1 guidlines, moratorium on OSHA enforcement
It’s no secret that a couple national infection control associations disagree with the CDC regarding H1N1 respiratory protection. Back in June, when H1N1 outbreaks became a concern, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) was the first to recommend surgical masks over N95 respirators. The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has also advocated for surgical masks.
But just because the CDC released their final recommendations, doesn’t mean these organizations are backing down just yet. SHEA, IDSA, and APIC have issued a letter to President Obama urging the federal government to modify the guidelines and put a moratorium on OSHA enforcement of the current H1N1 guidelines.
Weekly poll: Who do you trust for N95 recommendations
Health officials, the CDC, OSHA, and just about every healthcare worker in contact with H1N1 patients have been debating the effectiveness of N95 respirators over surgical masks for protection against the flu.
It seemed everyone had a final answer when the CDC updated its interim recommendations in support of N95, and OSHA said enforcement would reflect CDC guidance. But retractions of N95 research have left some a little confused.
Now some state health departments, such as Ohio, have begun operating under their own guidelines, allowing healthcare workers to wear surgical masks instead of N95s.
What guidelines to you trust more, the CDC or your state health department? Which one is your facility following? Take the poll and let us know in the space below.
Ohio OKs surgical masks after N95 study retraction
At least one state isn’t hesitating to change respiratory protection requirements after authors of an influential Australian study retracted findings that N95 respirators provide more protection than surgical masks against the flu.
Ohio state officials have backed out on previous support of CDC requirements that recommend N95 respirators for healthcare workers treating patients with suspected H1N1, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. State requirements will now permit the use of surgical masks.
Getting schooled: N95 and surgical mask 101
With all the hubbub concerning whether to use N95 respirators or surgical/procedure masks for H1N1 protection, NIOSH posted a nice piece on the history, development, and effectiveness of these medical devices on its science blog.
H1N1 respirator vs. mask Xs and Os
Did your healthcare facility cover the spread on H1N1 respiratory protection? If not, your facility is probably scrambling to acquire N95 respirators and figuring out how to fit-test and educate employees on their use.
At the risk of delving into Monday-morning quarterbacking, did you really think the CDC was going to say it was OK to use surgical masks over the more highly-protective N95 respirators in protecting U.S. healthcare workers from H1N1 influenza? Apparently, others thought so, too.
Weekly poll: N95s for H1N1
By now you have probably already seen the updated recommendations from the CDC regarding the use of N95s for protection against the H1N1 virus.
While it might come as a disappointment to some, it’s probably not a surprise to many. If you’ve been following our posts on OSHA Healthcare Advisor, you knew a decision was imminent, but did you expect N95s to win out?
Medical Environment Update—OSHA horror stories highlight safety faux pas
Healthcare workers share their tales of extreme but true safety miscues that will make even a veteran safety officer cringe and how they converted these situations into training opportunities in the October issue of Medical Environment Update.
Here is an excerpt from that article and a look at what else is covered in October issue.
AHA urges CDC to revise N95 guidelines for H1N1
It seems even the IOM recommendations couldn’t put an end to the respiratory protection debate.
On Tuesday American Hospital Association (AHA) urged the CDC to to revise its hospital infection control guidelines, specifically regarding N95s. The association advised the CDC to consider the most recent evidence on how the disease is transmitted and the limited supply of N95 respirators, according to its Web site.
Medical Environment Update—Preparing your outpatient facility for a pandemic
Hospitals may be the focus for a serious pandemic worries, but a mild virus could flood outpatient facilities, reports the September issue of Medical Environment Update.
Here is an excerpt from that article and a look at what else is covered in September issue.
Weekly Poll: H1N1 respiratory protection
Lately, there has been a debate among healthcare and employee safety experts about respiratory protection for healthcare workers against influenza A H1N1. It’s a debate that is becoming increasing more important as medical facilities finalize their pandemic planning and prepare for what could be a difficult flu season.
Some experts suggest that healthcare workers will have enough protection with surgical masks, while others contend N95s are the only legitimate form of protection. What do you think? Let us know your reasoning in the comments section below.
