[Reuse process of positive pressure powered air-filter protective hoods].

OBJECTIVE: To establish reuse process of positive pressure powered air-filter protective hoods during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. METHODS: The procedure of pretreatment, storage, recovery, cleaning, disinfection and sterilization process of positive pressure powered air-filter protective hoods, which were used in the treatment of COVID-19 infection patients was established in Central Sterile Supply Department of the hospital. The cleaning and disinfection effects of the protective hoods after treatment were examined by magnifying glass method, residual protein detection method, real-time PCR, and agar pour plate method. RESULTS: Twenty five used protective hoods underwent totally 135 times of washing, disinfecting and sterilizing procedures. After washing, all the protein residue tests and COVID-19 nucleic acid tests showed negative results. After sterilizing, all the protective hoods met sterility requirement. All the tested protective hoods were undamaged after reprocessing. CONCLUSIONS: The established reuse procedures for used positive pressure powered air-filter protective hoods are safe.

[Comparison of three medical goggle sterilizing approaches].

OBJECTIVE: To compare three sterilizing methods for reusable medical goggles. METHODS: A total of 180 medical goggles of the same brand and same model were randomly divided into three groups. In group A the goggles were first soaked with 2000 mg/L chlorine-containing disinfectant and then cleaned manually; goggles in other two groups were sterilized using pre-programmed automatic spray cleaning and disinfection machine, the disinfection program was set to 90 ℃ for 5 min in group B and 70 ℃ for 30 min in group C. The quality of the sterilization was monitored by visual inspection with luminous magnifying glass and residual protein detection assay. User satisfaction on cleanliness of medical goggles, clarity of mirror surface and suitability of elastic bands was investigated with questionnaire survey. RESULTS: The qualification rates verified by visual inspection were 82.4%, 84.6%and 98.3%in group A, B and C, respectively, the qualification rate in group C was significantly higher than those in group B and group C (all P<0.05). The qualification rates verified by residual protein detection assay were 96.7%, 100.0%and 100.0%in group A, B and C, respectively (P>0.05). A total of 54 questionnaires were submitted for the survey. The satisfaction rates were 100.0%, 90.7%and 94.4% for cleanliness of medical goggles, clarity of mirror surface and suitability of elastic bands, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Machinery sterilization set 70 ℃ for 30 min has better cleaning and sterilizing effects for reusable medical goggles.