A simulation study to evaluate contamination during reuse of N95 respirators and effectiveness of interventions to reduce contamination

See t.ly/UU3B Objective: To assess the potential for contamination of personnel, patients and the environment during use of contaminated N95 respirators and to compare the effectiveness of interventions to reduce contamination. Design: Simulation study of patient care interactions using N95 respirators contaminated with a higher and lower inoculum of the benign virus bacteriophage MS2. Methods: Twelve healthcare personnel performed 3 standardized examinations of mannequins including: 1) Control with suboptimal respirator handling technique; 2) Improved technique with glove change after each N95 contact; and 3) Control with 1-minute ultraviolet-C light (UV-C) treatment prior to donning. The order of the examinations…