Pathogen Protection

[angelausp]

What products/ sanitizers are you using to protect yourself against blood and airborne pathogens, and what are the pro's and con's of each?

[CACBAND]

Mostly alcohol based (waterless) hand gels. Soap and water sometimes but really the waterless hand gels are nice. Also some things called p.a.w.s. pads are nice to keep one of two in my pocket for when I don't have quick access to something else (click here)
I've tried the foaming kind, the hospital has them mounted on the walls, there ok, but I always feel like they leave a resduie on my hands and want to rise it off when I'm done.

There is this simi-new stuff called MyClyns that says you can spray it in you eyes, nose, mouth, etc after an exposure. Sounds interesting, but at $20 a shot, I'd really rather wear PPE and avoid ever neededing to spray somthing in my eyes.

As far as airborne there is no real sanitizers, just masks. We carry N95 masks.

[angelausp]

Thanks for your input. As far as the masks, I have read up on different types of masks, and their safety rating and found that the N95 is the most popular. Are there any particular kinds or do you use a generic N95 mask?

[CACBAND]

We buy in mass from one company, I can't think of the brand though. They come in a box of 10 but each one is sealed in its on bag, that way it stays clean until we use it and we can carry one or two in a bag without having to depend on the box to keep it nice and clean.
Brand really doesn’t matter that much, its more the rating that matters. Just like that spray I was talking about they make a T-5000 mask, which from what I understand (there website isn’t clear is either a P or R-95 at $10 a pop; again way over priced if you ask me).
Some people/places tend to buy the ones with exhalation valves. Personally, I don’t think it’s worth the extra cost unless you use it for longer periods of time than it might be nice.

I should add that for people in Fire/EMS (and really even LE if they wanted) NFPA 1999 is the “Bible” on PPE for medical operations.

Document Scope: 1.1.1* This standard shall specify the minimum documentation, design, performance, testing, and certification requirements for new single-use and new multiple-use emergency medical protective clothing, including garments, gloves, footwear, and face protection devices, used by fire and emergency services personnel during emergency medical operations.

Also I can’t help notice that most all your posts tend to be in threads about health/PPE? Is there some special reason/thing that you are concerned about?

[angelausp]

I am studying health promotions in school, and H1N1 has been a major topic this semester. I wanted to get a better understanding of what law enforcement and health care professionals are doing to combat the situation.

[CACBAND]

As far as H1N1 goes, really nothing more than normal. For that matter I havn't even heard anything about us being in the same "front of the line" as the docs and nurses for the vaccine.