ECRI Analysis: Majority of KN95 Masks Fail to Meet Minimum Standards

An analysis of imported Chinese KN95 masks by the not-for-profit organization ECRI showed that up to 70% of these masks fail to meet the minimum U.S. standards for effectiveness, according to a news release.

ECRI tested 15 different manufacturer models of masks and nearly 200 total masks that had been purchased by large U.S. health systems. The tests, which ECRI indicated were performed according to "rigorous product testing protocols," showed that a majority of the masks did not filter 95% of aerosol particulates, as the "95" in KN95 is supposed to indicate. Thus, they do not meet the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) N95 standard.

While this analysis further supports that non-certified KN95 masks should never be used as an alternative to N95s, they can serve as a "surgical mask" alternative, states Infection Control Consulting Services Founder Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, FAPIC.

Such sentiment was reflected in the ECRI news release, with Michael Argentieri, vice president for technology and safety for the organization, quoted as stating, "KN95 masks that don't meet U.S. regulatory standards still generally provide more respiratory protection than surgical or cloth masks and can be used in certain clinical settings."

ECRI also noted its researchers found that many non-certified masks with head and neck straps, as opposed to masks with ear loops, better conform to and seal against the wearer's face, which helps ensure air being breathed is filtered.

Joint Commission Infection Control Standards: Most Challenging for Accredited Ambulatory Healthcare Organizations in 2019

The Joint Commission has identified its top 10 most challenging standards for accredited ambulatory healthcare organizations in 2019. Infection control standards are the most and second most challenging for the year.

Taking the top spot on the list is IC.02.02.01 — The organization reduces the risk of infections associated with medical equipment, devices, and supplies.

Right behind it is IC.02.01.01 — The organization implements infection prevention and control activities.

Rounding out the top three most challenging standards is EC.02.03.05 — The organization maintains fire safety equipment and fire safety building features.

The Infection Control Consulting Services (ICCS) team has a lengthy track record of success with assisting ambulatory healthcare and other types of facilities with preparation for surveys, mitigation of deficiencies, and development of plans of correction. To learn more, contact ICCS.

NJ Resumption of Services in All Long-Term Care Facilities Include Infection Control Requirements

An executive directive issued by New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) details the criteria long-term care facilities, assisted living residences, comprehensive personal care homes, residential healthcare facilities, and dementia care homes (collectively "LTCFs" or facilities") must meet to proceed through a phased reopening process, which includes mandates concerning infection control.

Among the benchmarks LTCFs must comply with to enter a reopening phase are as follows:

• Contract with an infection control service within two months or hire a full-time infection control employee if they have more than 100 beds or hemodialysis. 

• Develop an updated outbreak plan with lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan must include a communications strategy that outlines regular communication with residents and families about cases and outbreaks or any other emergency and methods for virtual communication in the event of visitation restrictions.

• Implement a respiratory protection program that complies with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, including medical screenings and fit testing of employees using respirators (N95 masks), within nine months.

• Must be fully staffed and have a plan in place for additional staffing in the event of an outbreak or emergency. 

• Weekly staff COVID-19 testing.

• Secure enough personal protective equipment (PPE) for present use and a stockpile for emergencies.

• Must not have an active outbreak.

The reopening plan is comprised of four phases, which are tied to the state's planned stages for reopening. All facilities started in Phase 0 on August 10.

The executive directive was issued in conjunction with an announcement that the state is making $155 million available to help LTCFs safely reopen. Of this $155 million, about $25 million will go to assist LTCFs with the weekly testing.

New Medicaid funding worth $130 million will be available to LTCFs beginning in October and running through June 30, 2021. Of that, $52 million is intended to help LTCFs in supporting COVID-19-related infection control and compliance. However, the funding would be subject to recoupment if a facility fails to meet the DOH-specified requirements or is found to have repeated infection control failures. The remaining $78 million will go toward increasing wages for certified nurse aides.

Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, FAPIC, founder of Infection Control Consulting Services, which provides a range of services to all long-term care facilities, says she expects other states will take a similar approach as New Jersey in supporting LTCFs as they reopen and will also hold these facilities accountable.

Infection Control Consulting Services Launches Division to Support Non-Healthcare Businesses

July 16, 2020 — Infection Control Consulting Services (ICCS), a nationally renowned consulting firm, announces the launch of a dedicated division to support non-healthcare businesses as they work to navigate the challenges, requirements, and ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While ICCS is primarily recognized for its work providing infection prevention and control services to a variety of healthcare facilities, the firm has a history of assisting businesses in other industries. As stay-at-home orders expired and businesses began to reopen, ICCS saw a significant uptick in requests from companies seeking epidemiologists trained in infection prevention to provide guidance concerning how to safely and properly resume operations and stay open.

The increase in demand for services has necessitated the forming of a division dedicated to helping non-healthcare companies, says ICCS Founder and President Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, FAPIC.

"These businesses are hiring our certified infection preventionists to benefit from the vast experience we have accrued over the course of the past four decades, which includes pandemic preparedness and management during crises such SARS, MERS, H1N1, Ebola, and now the novel coronavirus," Segal says. "We understand the stress companies are going through as they attempt to follow federal and state safety guidelines, which are often vague and confusing. Our team is ready to help business owners and their management teams determine what steps to take to keep employees and customers safe while reassuring an understandably nervous public."

ICCS services available to non-healthcare companies include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Development and assistance with implementation of a written plan and protocols

• Social distancing

• Screening of employees and visitors

• Appropriate purchasing and usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), including face mask requirements

• Environmental cleaning and disinfection, including product selection

• Managing COVID-19 positive employees and/or those in contact with positive individuals

• Return-to-work rules for employees diagnosed with COVID-19

Businesses interested in scheduling a complimentary telephone consultation with Infection Control Consulting Services should click here or email info@iccs-home.com.

About Infection Control Consulting Services

Infection Control Consulting Services (ICCS) is a national provider of infection prevention and infection control services to healthcare and non-healthcare industries. The firm is well known for the personal touch, expertise, and value that clients receive when utilizing the company's services, which includes developing, implementing, and maintaining evidence-based infection prevention and control programs as well as providing exceptional educational programs. ICCS is led by Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, FAPIC, who has almost 40 years of experience. For more information, visit www.iccs-home.com and follow ICCS on LinkedIn.

Media: Please submit interview requests here.

CDC Warns of Serious Adverse Events From Methanol-Based Hand Sanitizers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health advisory concerning the potential for serious adverse health events associated with the use of methanol-based hand sanitizer products (sanitizers or rubs).

Most commercially available alcohol-based hand sanitizer products contain ethanol or isopropanol as active ingredients. In June, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised consumers not to use any hand sanitizer manufactured by "Eskbiochem SA de CV" due to the potential presence of methanol as an active ingredient. Methanol, considered a "toxic alcohol," can cause blindness and/or death when absorbed through the skin or when swallowed. The FDA has since identified additional alcohol-based hand sanitizer products that contain methanol and is working on a voluntary recall of these products.

In the health advisory, CDC provided the following recommendations for clinicians and public health officials:

1. Clinicians should advise patients to immediately seek medical treatment if they have been exposed to methanol-containing alcohol-based hand sanitizers on the "FDA's testing and manufacturer's recalls" list and are experiencing symptoms.

2. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for methanol poisoning when a patient presents with a history of alcohol-based hand sanitizer product ingestion or repeated use of these products on the skin. Signs and symptoms include headache, blurred vision or blindness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of coordination, decreased level of consciousness, and laboratory findings (e.g., anion gap metabolic acidosis).

3. Clinicians and public health practitioners should educate patients and the public to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer products only for hand hygiene.

4. Clinicians and public health practitioners should educate patients and the public on the serious adverse health risks of ingesting alcohol-based hand sanitizer products.

5. Clinicians and public health practitioners should educate patients and the public that some alcohol-based hand sanitizer products may contain a significant amount of methanol and using these products may result in the serious adverse health events noted above.

6. Clinicians should contact the local poison center (800-222-1222) to report cases and to obtain specific medical management advice of methanol poisoning.