Can respirators be re-used to help extend the existing supply?
Re-use of disposable N95 respirators, where the respirator is removed and re-donned between patient encounters, can result in a risk of contact transmission by touching a contaminated surface of the respirator and subsequently touching the mucous membranes of the face. The precise balance between risk of contact transmission and benefit of re-use associated with this strategy is unknown, although the risk will be minimized if HCWs perform hand hygiene every time before and after touching the respirator. However, in general, extended use (i.e. wearing over multiple encounters while minimizing touching, removing, or re-donning between encounters) would be favored over re-use because it is expected to involve less touching of the respirator and face. (See questions on extended use). Consultation with the facility’s infection control experts should be sought in making decisions regarding the most appropriate and feasible personal protective equipment to protect workers from influenza if re
