Title : Respiratory protection: Lessons learned from a global pandemic
Abstract:
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the constraints of global health systems to effectively manage the rapid spread of an airborne infectious disease, which was further exacerbated by shortages of critical personal protective equipment (PPE). Healthcare institutions and health care practitioners (HCPs) were confronted with a scarcity of personal protective equipment (PPE), including respiratory protection, as well as challenged by PPE storage and supply chain constraints. An expert healthcare panel with backgrounds in Environmental Health and Safety, Infection Prevention, and Nursing (Critical Care and Community Health settings) were assembled to discuss challenges and strategies associated with the selection and use of respiratory protection. Each panelist presented their experience and challenges. This discussion led to the following considerations: 1) during respiratory protection supply challenges or surge demand circumstances, alternative recommendations related to respiratory protection selection and use in accordance with US regulatory and agency guidance need to be better communicated; 2) adequate stockpiling, inventory rotation, and a mix of respiratory protection options that will accommodate the majority of healthcare workers are necessary; 3) there is a need for efficient and innovative strategies to communicate evolving recommendations and to deliver appropriate training related to respiratory protection; 4) additional research is necessary on filtering facepiece respiratory protection usage to balance infection prevention best practices with a sustainable process; and 5) a need exists for studies to obtain real world data concerning shifts in respirator usage (extended use versus re-use) under conventional, contingency and crisis capacity scenarios. In conclusion, these considerations may offer guidance and identify areas for research in preparedness, compliance, communication, and education to better prepare health care facilities for future unexpected events.
