Journal of Infectious Diseases & Preventive Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

Experience Report on Different PPE Variants used in a BSL-3 Facility for Autopsies and COVID-19-Related Research

Martina Loibner, Julia Rieger, Martin Zacharias and Kurt Zatloukal*

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has highlighted the dependency of healthcare systems and research organizations on manufacturers and suppliers of personnel protective equipment (PPE). The need for rapid capacity building in health care and research institutions generated an unprecedented demand for PPE. The delivery bottlenecks of PPE components also required flexibility and forward-looking stocking of PPE. Well trained staff who can deal with different variations and combinations of PPE components always providing the best possible personal protection is essential. We report on advantages and disadvantages of different PPE components used in a BSL-3 laboratory for a broad spectrum of different work with SARS-CoV-2 including performing autopsies, establishing virus cultures from patients, developing and validating diagnostics, as well as virus inactivation assays to test antiviral agents and decontamination technologies. Depending on the requirements of the practical work four different types of PPE were used by laboratory workers, molecular scientists, pathologists and autopsy assistants. Both autopsies and lab work increased substantially during the pandemic and thus led to very demanding working conditions with working shifts of more than 8 hours which showed the limits for certain PPE variants but also demonstrated the benefit of using PPE with powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR).

Published Date: 2021-07-16; Received Date: 2021-06-25