Face masks an anxiety-provoking obstacle for many with hearing loss, survey finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 03, 2021
Fully 95% of people living with hearing loss in the United States say that masks and face-coverings are creating communication barriers, and more than half say they are experiencing anxiety and isolation...
Nurses union to FDA: Mask decontamination never should have been OK’d
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 29, 2021
The reuse of N95 respirators and other single-use PPE is unsafe, according to the lead hygienist of National Nurses United. The union is heartened by President Joe Biden’s promise to use the Defense...
FDA limits N95 respirator reuse to four times with PPE decontamination systems
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 26, 2021
The agency last week reissued emergency use authorizations to some manufacturers, allowing compatible N95 respirators to be decontaminated a maximum of four times only.
FDA approves ultraviolet N95 mask cleaning system with small footprint
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 07, 2020
The Lumin LM3000 device is authorized for emergency use during the pandemic. It originally was designed to clean continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine accessories.
Facility PPE reuse at crisis level, infection preventionists say
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 04, 2020
Fully three quarters of survey respondents say that their healthcare facilities have implemented crisis standards of care for personal protective equipment. The reuse rate is “disheartening,”...
FDA publishes face mask, respirator FAQs for healthcare providers
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 30, 2020
The new webpage includes links to detailed information on a variety of subjects, including how to report shortages of face masks, surgical masks and respirators.
Armbrust American taking N95 respirator pre-orders
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 11, 2020
Armbrust American is taking pre-orders for its N95 respirator masks and surgical masks, part of a line of disposable surgical masks that has received an ASTM Level 3 rating for its filtration effectiveness. ...
Avoid ‘over-reliance’ on respirators, OSHA urges LTC operators in new guidance
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 05, 2020
The agency has issued new respiratory protection guidance for long-term care industry workers with the goal of preserving supplies of N95 face masks.
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, Oct. 27
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 27, 2020
Universal mask-wearing could cut 130,000 U.S. COVID deaths by March, study finds … Hard physical labor ups dementia risk; ‘good’ activity has reverse effect … Surgery may help bridge the breast...
Clinical briefs for Thursday, Oct. 8
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 08, 2020
General anesthesia does not increase dementia risk in seniors … Diagnostic stewardship tied to fewer urine culture orders, catheter-associated UTIs … Masks do not reduce oxygen intake or increase CO2...