I’m sure this post won’t appeal to all. While it is informational, it’s not a subject that those of us on the front lines deal with. The subject is more in the realm of sterile processing as opposed to nursing. I’ve put together a collection of items illuminating the recent developments / decisions regarding decontamination of FFR(s) for reuse.
July 2016 – I’m not sure if others have heard of the research conducted at Duke University. I had after talking to a 3M representative several weeks ago when I inquired about decontaminating N95s. What I didn’t realize until last night is the final report of that research (which of course includes recommendations for further studies) was finalized in July of 2016!! For almost four years there has been an effective method for disinfection of FFRs but we screw around until there’s a pandemic to finally approve it!
March 20, 2020 – After I spoke to the representative at 3M I was emailed the following Technical Bulletin. According to this document Ultraviolet Germicidal Radiation, Ethylene Oxide, and Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor (HPV) treatments all resulted in no “observable physical change” to the FFRs. There was, however, no findings regarding the fit or post-treatment filtering effectiveness of the FFRs. Consequently, 3M could not endorse any of the methods.
March 27, 2020 (Based on document date) – Another paper from Duke University building upon the previous research. They showed the HPV method was feasible using commercially available equipment. They also performed fit tests on humans rather mannequins to verify facial seal of the FFRs.
March 29, 2020 – USA Today article regarding the FDA upgrading their partial emergency use authorization for Battelle – a Columbus, Ohio non-profit company – to increase the number of FFRs they may decontaminate each day. FFRs decontaminated in this manner are reportedly reuseable 20 times! With this “full” emergency use authorization the FDA is now allowing Battelle to process 10,000 FFRs per day when the company has two machines in operation – each of which can process 80,000 FFRs per day! Really?
March 30, 2020 – Webinar produced by Duke University regarding HPV decontamination of FFRs.
April 9, 2020 – CDCs latest information on Decontamination and Reuse of FFRs. HPV method is at the top of the list.
I hope you got something out of this and I didn’t bore you too much! Please click the comment button below and share (I’m not sure why there’s not a share button visible from the start). Also please feel free to leave comments and use the follow button in the lower right of your screen to get email updates of future posts. Stay safe and well!!
Nursing In The Trenches 