Browsing by Subject "Personal Protective Equipment"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society (ANMS) Task Force Recommendations for Resumption of Motility Laboratory Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
    (American Neurogastro­enterology and Motility Society (ANMS), 2020-05-17) Baker, Jason R.; Moshiree, Baha; Rao, Satish; Neshatian, Leila; Nguyen, Linda; Chey, William D.; Saad, Richard; Garza, Jose; Waseem, Shamaila; Khan, Abraham R.; Pandolfino, John E.; Gyawali, C. Prakash; Department of Pediatrics, IU School of Medicine
    The ANMS organized a Task Force for developing guidance strategies regarding re-opening of motility laboratories. This document describes how to stratify urgency of motility physiologic procedures, screen prior to the procedures, optimize personal protective equipment (PPE) utilization, clean and prepare the motility laboratory space during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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    Electroceutical Fabric Lowers Zeta Potential and Eradicates Coronavirus Infectivity upon Contact
    (2020-05-15) Sen, Abhishek; Khona, Dolly; Ghatak, Subhadip; Gopalakrishnan, Vinoj; Cornetta, Kenneth; Roy, Sashwati; Khanna, Savita; Sen, Chandan; Surgery, School of Medicine
    Coronavirus with intact infectivity attached to PPE surfaces pose significant threat to the spread of COVID-19. We tested the hypothesis that an electroceutical fabric, generating weak potential difference of 0.5V, disrupts the infectivity of coronavirus upon contact by destabilizing the electrokinetic properties of the virion. Respiratory coronavirus particles (105) were placed in direct contact with the fabric for 1 or 5 minutes. Viral particles (2.5-4x104) were recovered from the fabric. Following one minute of contact, zeta potential of the coronavirus was significantly lowered indicating destabilization of its electrokinetic properties. Size-distribution plot showed appearance of aggregation of the virus. Testing of the cytopathic effects of the virus showed eradication of infectivity as quantitatively assessed by PI-calcein and MTT cell viability tests. This work provides the rationale to consider the studied electroceutical fabric, or other materials with comparable property, as material of choice for the development of PPE in the fight against COVID-19.
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    The Great Gender Divide: Gender-related discrepancies of N95 mask protection
    (2020-09) Christopher, Laura E.; Rohr-Kirchgraber, Theresa M.; Department of Medicine, IU School of Medicine
    Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals are at increased risk of transmission due to their direct contact with infected patients. To ensure protection, properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn. N95 respirator masks are a component of PPE outlined by the CDC for COVID-19; however, N95 masks do not offer protection if they do not fit properly. Fit testing is performed to ensure adequate seal of the mask and proper fit. Objective: The objective of this project was to attempt to identify a gender-related difference in fittesting failure rates. Methods: A single institutional retrospective review was performed on individuals who underwent fit testing from December 2019 to June 2020. Two mask sizes were available for fit testing (Model 3M1860, Regular/Small). Fit test results were divided into two groups, male or female, and evaluated for failure rates. Reasons for fit test failures were noted as: large-boned, small-boned, facial asymmetry, facial hair, and/or no reason reported. Exclusion criterion included failure due to facial hair. Results: A total of 336 tests were performed during this period, with 31 exclusions for facial hair. Data analyzed included 305 total respirator fit test results: 110 male and 195 female. Females fail at signifcantly higher rates, 6.67%, compared to males, 2.27% (p=0.001). Specifcally, females failed due to being small-boned when compared to reasons for male fit testing failures (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Gender-related differences in PPE fit is not new; however, the COVID- 19 pandemic has made the situation more acute. Females are faced with wearing masks that do not properly fit; N95 masks were not designed for female facial dimensions and because of inadequate fit, female healthcare workers are not properly protected. Developing a gender-specifc approach to designing N95 masks is vital in the upcoming months, as a potential second wave of COVID-19 is approaching.
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    Rapid prototype feasibility testing with simulation: Improvements and updates to the Taiwanese “aerosol box”
    (Elsevier, 2020-06-04) Cartwright, Johnny; Boyer, Tanna J.; Hamilton, Matthew C.; Ahmed, Rami A.; Mitchell, Sally Ann; Anesthesia, School of Medicine
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    Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Among Healthcare Workers With Differing Levels of COVID-19 Patient Exposure
    (Cambridge University Press, 2020-08-03) Hunter, Benton R.; Dbeibo, Lana; Weaver, Christopher; Beeler, Cole; Saysana, Michele; Zimmerman, Michelle; Weaver, Lindsay; Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine
    Healthcare employees were tested for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Among 734 employees, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 1.6%. Employees with heavy COVID-19 exposure had similar antibody prevalence as those with limited or no exposure. Guidelines for PPE use seem effective for preventing COVID-19 infection in healthcare workers.