Transparency and information sharing could help abate the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

are included in the FDA EUA to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the FDA still does not allow sharing or reusing N95 respirators. 8 Considering the COVID-19 pandemic specifically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published guidance regarding extended use and limited reuse of N95 respirators. Possible methods for decontamination cited as the most promising by the CDC were vaporous hydrogen peroxide, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, and moist heat. 9 In Brazil, the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) allowed the hospital infection control commissions (CCIHs) at each health service to create protocols for reuse by the same professional: use, withdrawal, packaging, assessment of integrity, time of use, and criteria for disposal. 10 The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in each country or region might be influenced by the number of cases, the proportion of patients needing hospitalization, and the infrastructure of healthcare systems. Health authorities should consider global PPE shortages and should define feasible recommendations for extended use or reuse or decontamination of N95 respirators. Regulatory agencies of few countries empowered health services managers to implement strategies for decontamination and/or reuse procedures. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Germany described the recommended decontamination method for N95 respirators in detail (ie, dry heat at 65-70C in a drying cabinet for 30 minutes). On the other hand, up to 60% of the screened countries did not report any recommendations for extended use or reuse or decontamination of N95 respirators. In summary, we have provided some evidence that regulatory authorities are trending toward relaxing regulations during the PPE shortage. The extended use and reuse of N95 respirators have become the last resort because it is crucial to maintain HCW protection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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