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A quality check has found that some masks used in the New Zealand healthcare sector are not up to scratch.
Coronavirus prevention mask protection N95 medical surgical masks and masks. Source: istock.com
The Health Ministry said it had advised district health boards today to stop using and discontinue orders for one type of face mask: the Duckbill N95 / P2 particulate respirators (masks) manufactured by QSi and produced in 2018 and 2019 as they don’t. fully meet agreed standards for use in New Zealand healthcare settings.
It comes after independent testing showed that the masks protected the user as expected, but did not meet the standard for protecting others from the person wearing the mask. They can still be used in other environments, even industrial use.
The Ministry estimates that up to 600,000 of these types of masks are available in the health sector, many of which are in reserve. The total use of N95 face masks from the national stock is usually around 6000 masks per week.
“Our assessment that Covid-19 was spread by using these face masks in healthcare settings is considered low or no risk,” said Kelvin Watson, group manager for testing, immunization and supply.
“It is timely that we can do these controls and put stocks on hold at a time when there is no additional pressure on the health system.
“We have no community transmission in New Zealand, and our healthcare workers take other important steps to protect themselves and those around them.”
Sue Gordon, deputy executive director of the Covid-19 health system response, said that stockpiles of the mask type will not have an impact nationally.
“There are many alternatives currently available in national supply and more masks on request,” he said, adding that New Zealand also receives new stocks of PPE regularly.
“The ministry will continue to strengthen our quality assurance processes to ensure that New Zealand healthcare workers have access to the highest standard of PPE,” he said.
