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If I use the respirator in areas (i.e. healthcare settings) with suspect or confirmed SARS patients, should I discard the respirator after use?

April 26, 2017areas discard Healthcare Patients respirator SARS settings

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If I use the respirator in areas (i.e. healthcare settings) with suspect or confirmed SARS patients, should I discard the respirator after use?

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Direct recommendations have not been issued regarding reuse of respirators used with SARS. The CDC has said that it is possible that the virus that causes SARS is spread through touching objects that have become contaminated. Until the spread of the SARS virus is better understood, respirators worn in contaminated areas should be handled gently and disposed of after use according to the facilitys policy for isolation precaution. Immediate disposal will help reduce the risk of the wearer contaminating the respirator or the respirator contaminating the wearers hands or other objects. The CDC has recommended that healthcare workers implement standard, contact and airborne precautions when caring for patients with suspect or confirmed SARS.