HPN: Study Finds Use of N96 Respirators Safe, Environmental, Cost-Effective

As reported in our sister publication, Healthcare Purchasing News, “A new study found that ‘limiting the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to only N95 respirators late in the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore healthcare facilities kept staff safe, reduced plastic waste and carbon emissions, and lowered related costs.’ CIDRAP has the news,” wrote HPN Associate Editor Matt MacKenzie.

“The study was led by the National Centre for Infectious Diseases in Singapore, and it evaluated ‘the use of PPE and monthly COVID-19 rates among medical, allied, ancillary, and administrative staff’ both before and after PPE de-escalation,” MacKenzie wrote. “The Singapore Ministry of Health had ‘updated its national PPE recommendations for HCP [healthcare personnel] caring for patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19’ in late 2022, ‘advising the use of N95 respirators alone.’ Guidelines from the U.S. CDC recommend ‘the use of gowns, gloves, and eye protection’ along with N95 respirators,” he added.

Please go to Healthcare Purchasing News for the complete report