Recommendations to decontaminate respirators based on recent evidence

If your email program has trouble displaying this email, view as a webpage. Updated Information on Respirator Decontamination Systems The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reissuing the Emergency Use Authorizations for decontamination systems that are authorized to decontaminate compatible N95 respirators for use by healthcare personnel (HCP) to prevent exposure to pathogenic biological airborne particulates when there is insufficient supply of new respirators resulting from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Based on the FDA's review of real-world use of these systems and evidence from adverse events and scientific literature, including studies regarding N95 respirator failures from simulated and real-world use, the FDA has determined that it is appropriate to protect the public health or safety to revise certain decontamination system EUAs to limit the number of decontamination cycles and respirator reuses permitted under each authorization. Specifically, the reissued EUAs for certain decontamination systems are now only authorized to decontaminate each compatible N95 respirator a maximum of four or fewer times. When a decontamination system has been authorized for multiple-user reuse, healthcare facilities and applicable parties are also required to ensure that HCP receive the same model of decontaminated compatible N95 respirator for which they have been fit tested. If such model of respirator is unavailable, then healthcare facilities and applicable parties must provide HCP with fit testing prior to using an alternative model of decontaminated compatible N95 respirator. Please keep in mind that the decontamination systems are not authorized to decontaminate: respirators containing cellulose-based materials, unless specifically authorized for the decontamination system; respirators containing antimicrobials, unless specifically authorized for the decontamination system; duckbill respirators, unless specifically authorized for the decontamination system; and, respirators with exhalation valves. The FDA recommends that HCP: Perform OSHA self-seal check to ensure an adequate seal is achieved each time a respirator is donned. Review the updated Fact Sheets and Instructions associated with the EUA for the specific decontamination system being used. Read More Questions? If you have questions about decontamination systems, contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE).

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