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Volume 15, Number 6—June 2009
Peer Reviewed Report Available Online Only

Stockpiling Supplies for the Next Influenza Pandemic

Lewis J. RadonovichComments to Author , Paul D. Magalian, Mary Kay Hollingsworth, and Gio Baracco
Author affiliations: North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida, USA (L.J. Radonovich); Miami, Florida, USA (P.D. Magalian); North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Lake City, Florida, USA (M.K. Hollingsworth); Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Miami (G. Baracco)

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Table 3

Personal protective equipment needs by staff category during a 1918-like influenza pandemic

Staff with no or infrequent patient exposure and/or direct contact (e.g., fiscal personnel)
1 disposable N95 respirator per exposure or contact
1 disposable gown per contact
1 pair of disposable gloves per contact
Staff with prolonged periods of exposure and/or direct patient contact (e.g., nurses, physicians)
1 reusable* N95 respirator per outbreak
1 pair of goggles per outbreak
1 pair of disposable gloves per contact
1 disposable gown per contact
2 disposable respirator cartridges per month
Staff with prolonged periods of exposure but no or infrequent direct contact with patients (e.g., emergency department clerk)
1 reusable† N95 respirator per outbreak
1 pair of goggles per outbreak
1 disposable gown per shift
1 pair of disposable gloves per contact
2 disposable respirator cartridges per month

*Recent reports (Institute of Medicine and Office of Health Safety [14]) and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration [6]) indicate that there is a strong likelihood of disposable respirator shortages during an influenza pandemic. Reusable respirators were selected as the primary component of respiratory protection for healthcare workers to avoid the possibility of exhausting local supplies of disposable respirators.
†Disposable N95 respirators may need to be used during early stages to enable time for fit-testing and issuing of reusable masks to pertinent staff.

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Page created: July 19, 2010
Page updated: July 19, 2010
Page reviewed: July 19, 2010
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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