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Two weeks ago, the Undersecretariat of Assistance Networks authorized the reprocessing or disinfection of N95 masks, so that health personnel can reuse them and thus protect themselves from the spread of the coronavirus before a “possible shortage”.
This is circular N ° 5 of that division, which authorizes the reuse of that specific type since April 29, which has generated concern in health officials.
The instruction is based on the recommendations issued by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the United States, which allows the masks to be subjected to a disinfection process with steam or plasma of hydrogen peroxideTherefore, it was determined to adapt these suggestions so that they are applied in the health establishments of our country.
This worries the College of Nurses of the Bío Bío region. The first director of the guild, Priscilla Inostroza, indicated that the protocol allows the N95 mask to be reprocessed up to three times, indicating that There is no scientific evidence on the effectiveness of the filters after undergoing this disinfection.
The circular establishes that the masks may be reused in the event that there is no stock for 30 days or less, as well as when the health team and the continuity of care cannot be guaranteed.
In this regard, Inostroza noted that N95 type respirators are not being reprocessed in the region, and that in the event that this occurs, the health authorities must first be notified.
Among other things, the circular states that masks must be identified with the name of the official who is using it, and then undergo the disinfection process.
Once this stage ends, the respirators they should be marked to identify that they have already been reprocessed so that they can once again be engaged in the care of Covid-19 positive patients.
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