Great idea from Claire McCaskill's D-I-L (an RN) regarding masks for ORs

[fleur-de-lisa]

Claire McCaskill ✔@clairecmc

From my daughter in law who’s a RN in CO: Our hospital has actually set up SEWING stations throughout the building to make masks/gowns out of sterile wrap that’s used in the OR - it’s set up assembly line style with cutting stations & sewing machine stations.

Link to tweet

[DarthDem]

1. K&R!

[pwb]

2. Hope they can be laundered and reused.

Great.

[hlthe2b]

3. Better than nothing and I posted earlier on this, but there is a new study that validates limitation

This post: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213135219

Now, I am going to caution that there is at least one randomized study (link provided) that shows these can be extremely INEFFECTIVE in some settings, some uses, and for some pathogens. That said, there is no denying they are better than nothing for large droplet spread. But, inform yourself and remember taking them off improperly is a real risk for self-exposure. That said, the ones designed/made by Deaconess seem to be the most useful

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577
A cluster randomised trial of cloth masks compared with medical masks in healthcare workers

Results The rates of all infection outcomes were highest in the cloth mask arm, with the rate of ILI statistically significantly higher in the cloth mask arm (relative risk (RR)=13.00, 95% CI 1.69 to 100.07) compared with the medical mask arm. Cloth masks also had significantly higher rates of ILI compared with the control arm. An analysis by mask use showed ILI (RR=6.64, 95% CI 1.45 to 28.65) and laboratory-confirmed virus (RR=1.72, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.94) were significantly higher in the cloth masks group compared with the medical masks group. Penetration of cloth masks by particles was almost 97% and medical masks 44%.

That said, here is Deaconess info:
Deaconess Health Systems/Hospitals provide guidance for making face masks (they will sterilize/reuse

For those who wish to help with the shortage for HCW or for others, here is probably the most appropriate guidance. Admittedly, I can remember when cloth masks were the norm and re-sterilized. These won't offer N95 level protection but they can help. Video available at the link below.

According to the CDC, fabric masks are a crisis response option when other supplies have been exhausted.

“Prior to modern disposable masks, washable fabric masks were standard use for hospitals,” said Dawn Rogers, MSN, RN, FNP-C, Patient Safety & Infection Prevention Office. “We will be able to sterilize these masks and use them repeatedly as needed. While it’s less than ideal, we want to do our best to protect our staff and patients during this pandemic.”

https://www.deaconess.com/SpecialPages/How-to-make-a-Face-Mask

https://www.deaconess.com/getmedia/fb4be66b-313c-430c-bdba-9f763a111262/Mask-Information-3-19-20?width=450&height=550

[PA Democrat]

10. I have been researching this as well because I am ready willing and able to sew masks.

However, there are considerations such as the type of cloth (finer woven is better) number of layers, fit, etc. I want good information before beginning because I do not want to make a mask that ends up causing its wearers more risk.

The International Journal of Infection Control published a paper on this topic in 2013. From the article:

Abstract
Cloth masks are commonly used in low and middle income countries. It is generally believed that the primary purpose of cloth masks is to prevent spread of infections from the wearer. However, historical evidence shows that they have previously been used to protect health care workers (HCWs) from respiratory infections. Currently there is a lack of evidence on the efficacy of cloth masks. In this paper, we examined the evidence around the efficacy of cloth masks and discuss the use of cloth masks as a mode of protection from infections in HCWs. We also reviewed the various approaches implemented to try and improve the effectiveness of cloth masks; for example; type of fabric, masks design and face fit.

Our results highlight that there is currently no published research on the efficacy of cloth masks. The few available studies on cloth masks are either descriptive or in-vitro. Studies show that some fabrics may provide better protection than others, and that in-vitro filtration capacity improves with increasing fineness of fabric and number of layers. The presence of moisture, distance traveled by the droplets and the design of mask were identified as other important factors related to the in-vitro filtration efficacy. Cloth masks may provide some protection and reduce exposure to respiratory aerosols, but this is unproven in the absence of a RCT. Given that cloth masks are widely used around the world and are not adequately addressed in infection control guidelines, research is required to test the clinical efficacy of cloth masks. Other future research questions should include filtration efficacy, length of use, methods of decontamination and fit testing. The use of cloth masks should be addressed in policy documents to inform best practice in low and middle income countries.

You can download the entire paper at [link:http://www.ijic.info/article/download/11366/8308|

[hlthe2b]

11. The link I posted from British Medical Journal is just such a study they claim does not exist.

Your article claims "Our results highlight that there is currently no published research on the efficacy of cloth masks." This is simply not true, though I'd surely like to see more. But the article I linked is a very well-conducted study.

The full article is linked. It was a fully randomized study completed in Vietnam in 2015 and not just based on "in-vitro" findings.

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577
A cluster randomised trial of cloth masks compared with medical masks in healthcare workers

[PA Democrat]

12. Thanks, I will check it out.

[duforsure]

4. How about setting up nearby schools with unemployed people looking for immediate work,

And get strict controls watching these workers and health care people with temperature guns for fevor for immediate isolation. We need huge supplies of these guns, masks, and all PPE needed now. Even people at home doing nothing right now would do that to help. They could have a dedicated drivers taking finished products to where needed. Manufacturers should be helping out now too by making needed tools like ventilators, temperature guns, finger oxygen sensors, test kits if also needed because of trumps failing to deliver the goods, and refusing to do his job.

[fleur-de-lisa]

5. Okay, I vote for you to be in charge of the government now!

[OrlandoDem2]

6. Great but it's sad that it has come to that.

[Wounded Bear]

7. Rachel mentioned this last night IIRC...

some area was enlisting local people to sew up masks for their local hospitals/health care facilities.

Still some American ingenuity left, apparently.

[Sunsky]

8. MAGA

If this isn't the makings of a third world country, I don't know what is. This is a good idea but sad that it has come to this. We aren't even at the height of the crisis in the country. Wow.

[StarfishSaver]

9. Great idea but it is disgusting that it's necessary