Reprocessing Personal Protective Equipment
The ASTM workshop on Reprocessing Personal Protective Equipment (September 9-10, 2020, virtual workshop) is looking for presentations on the following topics:
- Methods/guides/practices to address reprocessing single use PPE and reusable PPE (including N95 respirators, personal face masks, protective clothing and coverings, etc.):
- Current issues with decontaminating single use PPE
- Cleaning
- Index matching
- Collection and distribution
- Loss of efficacy
- Degradation of components
- Tracking number of re-uses
- Cleaning/decontamination/sterilization
- New sterilization/disinfection methods – chlorine dioxide, etc.
- Assessing performance of the reprocessed device, including feedback from healthcare providers who have used reprocessed devices
- Effects of bioburden on re-use, for disinfection and perception
- Standards used
- Existing: ASTM, NIOSH and other
- Include limitations, such as multiple decontaminations
- Novel test methods introduced by researchers during the COVID-19 outbreak
- Methods/guides/practices for producing and or assessing performance of devices and device components that are in short supply
- e.g. masks, respirators, and face shields
- Both traditional device designs and novel designs using materials that are at hand
- Redesigning single use PPE for potential re-use during surges
- Discussion of FDA Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs),
- For current EUAs, the impact on supply chain and on products/methods covered by current EUAs.
- Considerations needed to continue product access upon EUA expiration including impacts on the supply chain and on products/methods covered by current EUAs.
- Share perspectives on how existing standards helped you in addressing device shortages or how they could have been of more assistance
Abstract Submittal
To participate in the workshop, your 300-word abstract is due no later than July 26, 2020. Please see the ASTM symposium page for submission instructions.