- ensuring resources for infection prevention and control 
- the development of clear IPC policies, 
- facilitated access to laboratory testing, 
- appropriate triage and placement of patients
- training of staff.
- establish differentiated care pathways that minimize mixing of known or suspected COVID-19 patients with other patients

Administrative controls for management of personal protective equipment

- reducing the spread of pathogens and the contamination of surfaces and inanimate objects.
- providing adequate space to allow social distance of at least 1 m 
- ensuring the availability of well-ventilated isolation rooms for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19,
- adequate environmental cleaning and disinfection

Environmental and engineering controls

In the absence of certain effective controls, PPE has limited benefit. Such controls include:
- Administrative controls
- Environmental and engineering controls

Smith College

According to the CDC, personal protective equipment (PPE) is used every day by healthcare personnel (HCP) to protect themselves, patients, and others when providing care. PPE helps protect HCP from many hazards encountered in healthcare facilities. However, the sudden surge in cases has lead to a spike in the demand for PPEs, leading to shortages all around the world.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and COVID-19

World Health Organization. 2020. Rational Use Of Personal Protective Equipment For Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) And Considerations During Severe Shortages.  https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/rational-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-for-coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-and-considerations-during-severe-shortages     Accessed 5 August 2020.

Rational use of personal protective equipment for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and considerations during severe shortages

Nanomaterials can be used to increase the performance and safety of PPE, such as air filters and masks. They may be used to not only capture aerosol droplets but also inactivate the virus upon contact with the surfaces of PPE. 

Opportunities for nanotechnology-based solutions to increase the efficiency and safety of air filter and mask devices include (i) improving particle capture and retention characteristics, particularly, in the 300 nm diameter size range; (ii) reducing the effects of exhaled humid air on particle redistribution; (iii) rapid inactivation of membrane-bound microbes including enveloped viruses upon capture; and (iv) thin, high-efficiency filtration media for personal masks that are able to be reused repeatedly without loss of efficiency (e.g., novel electrospun nanofibers). 


Nanomaterials for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Management by Country

The normal PPE supply chain process is usually the sourcing teams choosing 2-3 large-scale distributors. The supplies from the distributors are delivered weekly. The distributors usually purchase directly from the manufacturer or third parties. In the U.S., PPE production is limited with more than 70% of PPE produced in China. Due to the spike of demand, distributors cannot acquire PPE to meet the demands. 
- Why aren't distributors purchasing more PPE?
- The Department of Health and Human Services' Strategic National Stockplie
- Negative consequences of PPE shortage
- What should be done?

PPE Supply Chains 

- Face Masks
- Face Shields
-Environmental Precautions
- Gloves

Types of PPE

- Minimize the need for PPE in health care settings
- Ensure rational and appropriate use of PPE
- Coordinate PPE supply chain management mechanisms.


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