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Essentials Of PPEs Against
COVID 19
When disposable N95 filtering facepiece respirators are
not available, one must consider using other respirators
that provide greater protection and improve work comfort.
Other types of acceptable
respirators include:
R/P95
N/R/P99
N/R/P100 filtering facepiece respirator
Air-purifying elastomeric (e.g., half-face or full-face)
respirator with appropriate filters or cartridges;
Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) with high -
efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filter; or
Supplied Air Respirator (SAR)
Coverall/Gowns :
Coverall / gowns are designed to protect torso of
healthcare providers from exposure to virus. Although
coveralls typically provide 360-degree protection because
they are designed to cover the whole body, including back
and lower legs and sometimes head and feet as well, the
design of medical/isolation gowns do not provide
continuous whole-body protection (e.g., possible openings
in the back, coverage to the mid-calf only).
By using appropriate protective clothing, it is possible
to create a barrier to eliminate or reduce contact and
droplet exposure, both known to transmit COVID-19, thus
protecting healthcare workers working in close proximity
(within 1 meter) of suspect/confirmed COVID-19 cases or
their secretions.
Coveralls and gowns are deemed equally acceptable as there
is a lack of comparative evidence to show whether one is
more effective than the other in reducing transmission to
health workers. Gowns are considerably easier to put on
and for removal. An apron can also be worn over the gown
for the entire time the health worker is in the treatment
area. Coveralls/gowns have stringent standards that extend
from preventing exposure to biologically contaminated
solid particles to protecting from
chemical hazards.
Some are the important parameters to be considered while
manufacturing a high quality PPE Coverall as suggested by
DRDE, Gwalior in accordance with the guidelines put forth
by the ministry of Health, Government of India are as
follows:
1. Fabric Mass, Gram per Square Meter (gsm)
2. Tensile Strength, N/5cms, Min Machine Direction (MD)
Cross Direction(CD)
3. Elongation,%(Both the Directions),Min
4. Resistance to liquid Penetration, Pressure in cm water
Column, Min
5. Synthetic blood penetration test
6. Dry Bacterial Penetration Resistance Test Colour -
White, light Blue or light yellow are preferable
Shoe Cover : Each Bio-protective Coverall to be provided
with a Pair of shoe cover made of the same material as
that of Bio-protective Cover all with elastic on the top
for fitment and grip.
Garment type :
Single Overall type garment with integrated hood (designed
to match the head contour) with elastic around face
opening. Front zipper with lock slider and the Zipper
should be covered with a storm flap with provision of self
adhesive sealing.
Elastic is also required on wrist & lower leg area.
Seam length should be minimum possible.
Manufactured out of material specified above.
Garment sizes : Sizes
Medium (M), Large (L) and other depending on requirement.
Usage Life of the coveralls:
Single use
Fabrication: Sewing/ Adhesion/ thermal/RF welding
/Ultrasonic welding or any other suitable technique or
combination of techniques followed by application of
Sealing tape in stitched area. The sealing tape should be
hot air adhesive type made out of suitable material such
that the fabricated joint withstands the Synthetic Blood
penetration test, Minimum width of the tape should be 16
mm. Thumb & Finger Loop (One loop in each sleeve to anchor
the sleeve in place) made of thin elastic tape.
Packing and Storage
Each coverall along with a pair of shoe cover of specified
size is required to be packed in clean and transparent
Polyethene Pouch, sealed at the mouth, in clean condition
and must have a coloured printed paper inlay or printing
on polythene for information regarding manufacturer, month
& year of manufacturing, Storage Condition: To be stored
under standard packing and storage conditions
(Temperature: 25±20C and RH:65±5%)
Storage Life: 5 years in standard packing, under the
specified storage conditions.
REFERENCES:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Directorate General
of Health Services : Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19): Guidelines on rational use of Personal
Protective Equipment.
Guidelines by DRDE, Gwalior for PPEs.
Rational use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for
coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic
– a narrative review : T. M. Cook :Professor, Department
of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Royal United
Hospital NHS Trust, Bath, UK
By : Dr.
Karnav Patel, MDS – Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial
Surgeon – Oral Oncology
• Founder : Digital Healthcare Platform – HASHI
CARE
• Founder : SALVO – Medical and Surgical products
• Startup Mentor
• Technical Advisor : Sanctuary Innovations Safety Limited
• Technical Advisor : S K IMPEX Mask. |
