Decontamination of filtering facepiece respirators using a low-temperature-steam-2%-formaldehyde sterilization process during a pandemic: a safe alternative for re-use.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has caused problems with respirator supplies. Re-use may minimize the impact of the shortage, but requires the availability of an efficient and safe decontamination method. AIM: To determine whether low-temperature-steam-2%-formaldehyde (LTSF) sterilization is effective, preserves the properties of filtering facepiece (FFP) respirators and allows safe re-use. METHODS: Fourteen unused FFP2, FFP3 and N95 respirator models were subjected to two cycles of decontamination cycles. After the second cycle, each model was inspected visually and accumulated residual formaldehyde levels were analysed according to EN 14180. After one and two decontamination cycles, the fit factor (FF) of each model was tested, and penetration tests with sodium chloride aerosols were performed on five models. FINDINGS: Decontamination physically altered three of the 14 models. All of the residual formaldehyde values were below the permissible threshold. Irregular decreases and increases in FF were observed after each decontamination cycle. In the sodium chloride aerosol penetration test, three models obtained equivalent or superior results to those of the FFP classification with which they were marketed, both at baseline and after one and two cycles of decontamination, and two models had lower filtering capacity. CONCLUSION: One and two decontamination cycles using LTSF did not alter the structure of most (11/14) respirators tested, and did not degrade the fit or filtration capacity of any of the analysed respirators. The residual formaldehyde levels complied with EN 14180. This reprocessing method could be used in times of shortage of personal protective equipment.

Procedimiento enfermero en criocirugía prostática / No disponible

Se nos presenta una técnica de cirugía mínimamente invasiva que, sin perder eficacia, ofrece múltiples ventajas para el paciente y para la Administración. De la adopción de esta técnica nace una serie de cuestiones como el aprendizaje de la técnica y su aparataje y la necesidad de crear una herramienta de trabajo (procedimiento enfermero) con un triple objetivo claro y definido, consistente en ayudar a la enfermera quirúrgica en su trabajo, aumentar el beneficio para el paciente y coordinarse correctamente con el resto del equipo quirúrgico. Dicho proceder se desarrolla a lo largo del artículo, concluyendo los autores que el trabajo de enfermería es fundamental e insustituible en el equipo quirúrgico para conseguir resultados óptimos con alta calidad y coordinar todos los recursos humanos y materiales capaces de proporcionar cuidados sanitarios a la población (AU)

A technique of minimumly invasive surgery appears to us, that without losing effectiveness, offers manifold advantages for the patient and the administration. Of the adoption of this technique a series of questions like the learning of the technique and its instruments is born and the necessity to create a tool of work (procedure nurse) with three clear and defined objective triple, consisting of helping to the surgical nurse in their work, increasing to the benefit the patient and to coordinate itself correctly with the rest of the surgical team. Concluding the authors who the work of infirmary is fundamental and irreplaceable in the surgical team to obtain optimal results with high quality and to coordinate all the human and material resources able to provide sanitary cares to the population (AU)