Use of high filtration mask for sputum supervision?
Started by Ana Serralheiro on 20 Jan 2010
Last edited by Sophie Beauvais on 23 Feb 2010
Hi all,
I'm wondering about the need of using high filtration masks in some specific activities performed in our clinics in Swaziland - OPD facilities where TB services are provided in the same room as the other consultations.
We discouraging the use of respirators in the entire clinic and reinforce the other administrative and environmental measures.
However, in these clinics we are doing SPOT collection for TB suspects (then transported to the Health centres). This will be done in average for 3 to 5 patients per day.
A nominated person is responsible to perform the following activities:
- 1st: Instruct the patients on how to collect the sample on SPOT (performed in a outside space away from the buildings).
- 2nd: Sputum supervision during the collection of the samples. Staff was instructed that patients should be located back to them and that they should keep a "two steps distance" from them if they need to approach the patient.
- 3rd: receiving samples and place in appropriate box.
I'm wondering if this person needs to use them during the 1st and 2nd activity.
I guess that if staff respects the distance and position of the patient that the risk of transmission will be low (also considering TB is mostly transmitted by airborne).
However, as part of the droplet precautions (and body fluid splashing) staff should use a mask (plus aprons, etc) whenever there’s exposure to droplets and risk of splashing (during 3rd activity).
Considering the number of patients, the risk of transmission of TB through the mucosa, etc what you would advise on this? Any example form other places?
Thanks
Ana
Ana Serralheiro
Infection Control Specialist
MSF Switzerland
Swaziland Mission
Keywords: Personal Respiratory Protection, Technical Consultants
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