COVID-19 can be transmitted by exposure to airborne droplets that linger for minutes or hours, the agency now states. This typically happens in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces, involving activities...
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...
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.
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.
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.
Clinical Briefs for Friday, June 12
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 11, 2020
Population-wide facemask use dramatically cuts COVID-19 transmission rates, finds study … Antibody COVID-19 treatment could be authorized by September … Treatment target has potential for chronic kidney...
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.
Social distancing reduces infections; N95 masks work best, new study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 02, 2020
The results are the “best available evidence” that coronavirus infection risk depends on distancing and PPE, say investigators.
Non-surgical face masks are not PPE, feds insist
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 28, 2020
“Questions and concerns” about a recent emergency use authorization have prompted the FDA to clarify its guidance about face coverings.