Microbial contamination of powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) used by healthcare staff during the COVID-19 pandemic: an in situ microbiological study.

Autor: Chakladar A; Department Anaesthesia, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK; Department of Microbiology and Infection, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Sussex, Brighton, UK. Electronic address: abhijoy.chakladar@nhs.net., Jones CG; Department Anaesthesia, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK., Siu J; Department Anaesthesia, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK., Hassan-Ibrahim MO; Digestive Diseases Centre, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK., Khan M; Department of Microbiology and Infection, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Sussex, Brighton, UK; Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Falmer, UK.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: American journal of infection control [Am J Infect Control] 2021 Jun; Vol. 49 (6), pp. 707-712. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Feb 13.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.02.006
Abstrakt: Background: Powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) are an option for healthcare workers requiring respiratory protection during the current COVID-19 pandemic; they are shared between multiple people. PAPR hoods are intended for multiple uses by a single user and may pose an infection risk between wearers.
Methods: Internal components of PAPR hoods and corrugated air supply hoses were swabbed for evidence of bacterial, fungal, common respiratory viruses and severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) contamination.
Results: Twenty-five PAPR hoods were swabbed; 10 (40%) returned positive results. Bacterial growth was detected on six PAPR; five of the PAPR tested positive for fungal growth; all tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 and common respiratory viruses.
Conclusions: Bacteria and fungi can remain on internal components of PAPR hoods and air supply hoses despite following recommended disinfection procedures. PAPR hoods have the potential to act as fomites, cross-infecting wearers, and patients. Current guidelines for disinfecting PAPR hoods may not be effective for use in high risk healthcare environments.
(Copyright © 2021 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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