Reuse of Disposable Isolation Gowns in Rodent Facilities during a Pandemic
Autor: | Mary M Walker, Karen M. Dobos, Valerie K. Bergdall, Lon V. Kendall, Toi A Collins, Amanda E Sparks, Judy M. Hickman-Davis |
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Rok vydání: | 2021 |
Předmět: |
2019-20 coronavirus outbreak
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Isolation (health care) Health Personnel Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Overview Reuse Animal Technicians Mice Health personnel Protective Clothing Animals Laboratory Animals Humans Medicine Disposable Equipment Pandemics Personal Protective Equipment Personal protective equipment business.industry medicine.disease Housing Animal Animal Science and Zoology Medical emergency business |
Zdroj: | J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci |
ISSN: | 1559-6109 |
DOI: | 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-20-000130 |
Popis: | Reuse of disposable personal protective equipment is traditionally discouraged, yet in times of heightened medical applications such as the SARS CoV-2 pandemic, it can be difficult to obtain. In this article we examine the reuse of disposable gowns with respect to still providing personnel protection. XR7, a fluorescent powder, was used to track contamination of gowns after manipulation of rodent cages. Mouse cages were treated with XR7 prior to manipulations. Disposable gowns were labeled for single person use and hung in common procedure spaces within the vivarium between usages. A simulated rack change of 140 cages was completed using XR7-treated cages. One individual changed all cages with a break occurring after the first 70 cages, requiring the gown to be removed and reused once. To simulate research activities, 5 individuals accessed 3 XR7-treated cages daily for 5 d. Each mouse in the XR7-treated cages was manipulated at least once before returning cages to the housing room. Disposable gowns were reused 5 times per individual. Gowns, gloves, clothing, bare arms, and hands were scanned for fluorescence before and after removing PPE. Fluorescence was localized to gloves and gown sleeves in closest contact with animals and caging. No fluorescence was detected on underlying clothing, or bare arms and hands after removing PPE. Fluorescence was not detected in procedure spaces where gowns were hung. The lack of fluorescence on personnel or surfaces indicate that gowns can be reused 1 time for routine husbandry tasks and up to 5 times for research personnel. A method for decontamination of used gowns using Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP) was also validated for use in areas where animals are considered high risk such as quarantine, or for fragile immunocompromised rodent colonies. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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