Since the influenza virus is mainly transmitted by droplet infection, respiratory protection is exceptionally important in medical care.
Breathing Masks
Breathing masks for the personal protective equipment (PPE) of workers against external influences or hazards are subject to European standards for respiratory protection devices. For the medical field these are mainly the standards for particle filtering half masks (FFP, filtering face piece, class 1-3) according to DIN EN 149, which stipulate the performance features of the filter material and the fit. These products must be registered as personal protective equipment.
Surgical Face Masks
Surgical face masks are used daily in many fields of healthcare to protect health professionals against infectious germs. Studies on laboratory models and epidemiological infection studies show that multilayer face masks have a filtering capacity comparable to FFP 1-2 masks, which are specifically intended to protect wearers against droplet infection. However a bad fit and incorrect use, e.g. failure to press down the nose clip, result in a considerable loss in the protective function of the face masks.
Respiratory Protection
For respiratory protection the Robert Koch-Institute recommends in Decision 609 that patients wear normal face masks and medical personnel tight-fitting masks classified according to FFP depending on their assignments as protection when influenza occurs:
Please press here to enlarge the view of the table>>
1 A face mask is also suitable if it fulfills the requirements of the device class FFP1 according to DIN EN 149.
Table: From Decision 609 of the RKI, May 2005
Medical personnel must be trained in the channels of infection and protective measures. For hygiene measures on patients with suspected or confirmed influenza, the Robert Koch-Institute recommends the following general personal protection measures (issued in February 2006):
Personal Protection Measures
- Protective gowns, disposable gloves, at least multilayer, tight-fitting face mask and suitable protective goggles.
- Sluice room if possible.
- Put on face mask before entering the room.
- Put on protective gown in the sluice room or patient's room and leave there.
- Put on disposable gloves in the sluice room or after entering the patient's room and dispose of in a closed container before leaving.
The German National Pandemic Plan recommends the wearing of a simple face mask in public in the case of a pandemic.
|
