Corpro and COVID-19: Top questions from medical professionals
Corpro has received a great number of enquiries from medical professionals, specifically relating to how and when our respiratory products should be used and maintained during the current COVID-19 crisis. To ensure all medical professionals feel confident wearing our products during this uncertain period, we have provided answers to our most frequently asked questions.
It is important to note that, should your Infection Control department or Health and Safety Officer advise any different procedures or processes from those mentioned below, their recommendations should be followed.
1. Should I choose to wear a half mask or a full face mask?
Both are effective respiratory protection solutions, but it depends on your job role’s specific requirements as to which may be a better solution for you. For example, most doctors and nurses would wear a half mask with adequate eye protection whereas most surgeons would wear a full face mask. Speak to your Infection Control department or Health and Safety Officer if you are unsure.
2. How long do the HM1400 half masks and FFM1600 full face masks last?
We advise that the masks are fully serviceable for 5 years.
3. Do people need to be fit tested before wearing your masks?
We would always advise being fit tested by an accredited person, as it is mandated by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive).
4. Which filter type is used for protection against COVID-19?
Our F1100 range P3 R filter is the most commonly used to protect against COVID-19. However, any of our combination filters with a P3 R element can also be used should you require protection from hazardous vapours in addition to COVID-19 (i.e. the F1100 range A1P3 R D, A2P3 R D, ABE1 P3 R D, or ABEK1 P3 R D filters).
5. How long do the F1100 range P3 R filters last?
Based on HSE guidance (HSG53/COSHH essentials R3), we advise that our filters last 3 months of use or until the filters become clogged or damaged (whichever point is reached sooner). This is assuming the user is breathing through the filters for an average of 40 hours per week (8 hours per day) and that the filters are well-maintained. Longevity of filters is also subject to an individual’s breathing rate and level of contaminant present.
A filter can be defined as ‘clogged’ when it becomes difficult for the user to breathe through.
6. Are your products latex free?
Yes. Latex is not used in any of the assemblies in the Corpro range. This includes, but is not limited to, the HM1400 half mask, FFM1600 full face mask and F1100 filter range.
7. Do the HM1400 half masks and FFM1600 full face masks filter air on the exhale (i.e. so if the user had COVID-19, others would be protected)?
Like many disposable and tight-fitting reusable respirators, air is only filtered on the inhale and therefore only the user would be explicitly protected against COVID-19.
8. How long can you wear the HM1400 half mask and FFM1600 full face masks for in one shift?
Some people can find it difficult wearing respiratory protection for long periods. We would recommend taking a small break every hour if possible, as per HSE guidance (HSG53).
9. What is your recommended cleaning procedure for the HM1400 half mask, FFM1600 full face mask and F1100 range P3 R filters?
We are advising a 10% bleach solution with water to wipe the whole of the mask and the outside of the filters (making sure the solution does not go inside the filters as this will cause damage). The mask can also be dunked into the solution without the filters on. This will not harm the mask. Rinse the mask and outside of the filters with plenty of water and ensure your products are dry before use or storage.
We also acknowledge that 60% or over alcohol products, hypochlorous acid products and hydrogen peroxide solutions can effectively disinfect our masks and filters. Again, make sure these cleaning solutions do not go inside the filters.
10. How often should you disinfect your mask and filters?
This would ultimately be the decision of your Infection Control department or Health and Safety Officer. However, we would advise that you should at least disinfect at the end of each shift, and more often if coming into direct contact with COVID-19 positive patients.
11. Can your masks be worn during AGPs (aerosol generating procedures)?
Yes, our FFM1600 full face masks and HM1400 half masks can be worn during AGPs. The masks and filters can be disinfected as specified in the answer to question 9 following the AGP.
Although our filters have been designed to prevent most droplets entering the filter, there is the chance that some of the fluid will bypass this cover and reside on the pleated filter material inside. This would be a call for your Infection Control department or Health and Safety Officer as to how they would want to address this e.g. whether they would advise changing the filters more often or disposing of the filter in such circumstances. However, should splashes contain mucus/bacterial substances and this resides on the pleated material on the inside of the filter, then we would advise filter change regardless.
12. How do you store your masks and filters safely?
We recommend storing the mask and filters in a polythene bag, preferably zip-locked with some form of desiccant (such as a silica gel sachet), when not in use. A polythene bag is included when purchasing a HM1400 half mask or FFM1600 full face mask. Make sure your mask and filters are dry before storing in this way.
However, if this is not possible, it is suitable to store the mask and filters in a clean area where there is no risk of contamination e.g. a disinfected personal locker.
13. Do you recommend owning more than one filter pair per mask at any one time?
For those wearing the mask day-after-day, we would advise owning three pairs of filters per mask and using them on rotation (using pair 1 on the first day, pair 2 on the second, pair 3 on the third, then returning to pair 1 on the fourth day and so on).
This is so the filters can be stored in a polythene bag as specified in the answer to question 12 for 3 days, which would cause the COVID-19 contaminants to die provided the storage bag is zip-locked and contains a desiccant. This is an extra measure that we propose for user safety. Products should always be appropriately disinfected in advance of storing regardless of how long they may remain unused.
If you only have access to one pair of filters, this is acceptable provided that your filters are thoroughly disinfected after use.
14. I am an accredited fit tester and I have one of your Portacount adaptors. Can the adaptor be disinfected in the same way as the masks and filters?
Yes, it can. Please see the cleaning procedure detailed in the answer to question 9. Please note that our Portacount adaptor is designed to be handled with care.
15. Are there any instructional videos on how to appropriately wear, adjust and/or maintain your masks and filters?
Yes, we do. Please follow this link to view: https://vimeo.com/corpro
If you would like to ask any additional questions or would like to speak to one of our representatives, please call us on +44 (0) 1942 597267 or email sales@corpro.systems.
Posted: 11 August 2020