Nurses ask feds to invoke Defense Production Act for N95 masks; survey finds ‘unacceptable’ reuse...
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 04, 2020
One in three nurses remain short on supplies, an ANA survey has found. “Re-use and decontamination of single-use PPE as the ‘new normal’ is unacceptable, given the lack of standards and evidence...
Clinical briefs for Thursday, August 27
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 27, 2020
Feds to deliver more than 1 million N95 respirators to nursing homes … Nursing homes now required to test all staff members for COVID-19 … FDA drops boxed warning on diabetes drug Invokana … Hydroxychloroquine...
An electric cooker can sanitize N95 masks, preserve filtration and fit, investigators find
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 10, 2020
A rice cooker or an Instant Pot effectively decontaminates N95 respirators without compromising fit and function, researchers say. They demonstrate the method in a YouTube video.
Masks protect the wearer and may lead to milder disease, experts claim
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 29, 2020
Most masks will block at least some coronavirus particles — staving off severe disease if exposure does occur, a new analysis suggests.
Masks arrive from ‘dubious’ sources, bearing false FDA certificates: report
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 21, 2020
In a rush to meet demand for face masks and respirators, some manufacturers have turned out poor quality products while claiming federal approval, according to a new report.
Hearing loss group applauds feds for adaptive mask guidelines
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 15, 2020
The CDC’s updated guidelines “allow for modifications that can improve communication success for everyone,” says the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Talking through a mask is not easy, but these tips can help
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 10, 2020
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has ideas for counteracting the effects of muffled voices and the lost ability to read lips and facial expressions.
Standardize N95 respirators for all inpatient COVID-19 encounters, conclude analysts
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 01, 2020
N95 respirators should be required for all workers caring for COVID-19 inpatients, not only those performing aerosol-generating procedures, write the authors of a new data review.
Use of elastomeric respirators could reduce providers’ need for N95 masks
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 15, 2020
The flexible masks are cost effective, reusable, and could solve the problem of ongoing N95 mask shortages, finds a study set in an academic medical center.
New FDA guidance targets respirator reuse
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 08, 2020
The agency has revised its guidance on respirators, labeling previously authorized equipment as inappropriate for decontamination and reuse during the pandemic.