The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread shortages of PPE in the healthcare world, especially of face masks, like N95 respirators. Seeing this major problem, CS Medical decided it was time to step up and help the community face this unprecedented challenge. CS Medical has teamed up with AirClean Systems to provide a solution to the PPE shortage: the UV Light Box.
CS Medical’s scientists and AirClean Systems’ engineers came together to turn already existing research into a solution. This solution has come in the form of a UV light box that can be used to decontaminate N95 respirators, making them reusable. CS Medical and AirClean Systems have collaborated several times over the last ten years to help bring solutions to the healthcare community, but this was the first time they came together to tackle a worldwide problem.
When asked about joining forces with CS Medical, Dawn Kusy, AirClean Systems’ Engineering Manager, said, “We have really enjoyed this opportunity to collaborate between the two companies for such an important cause. Combining our resources and strengths gives us ingenuity, expertise in the medical field and a strong focus on safety. It’s really nice to be able to help the community in such an important way.”
“The UV light box is another example of how small businesses can work together and provide solutions to emerging healthcare problems. CS Medical is committed to helping healthcare in this time of need and with this partnership we provide another piece to the overall solution of risk reduction,” stated CS Medical’s President, Mark Leath.
As previously mentioned, the innovative UV Light Box works to decontaminate N95 respirators. According to N95DECON, this will make the masks reusable up to five times, helping alleviate the PPE shortage common in so many healthcare facilities and other industries across the nation right now. With regards to the decontamination and reuse of N95 masks, the CDC states, “This option may need to be considered when FFR [filtering facepiece respirator] shortages exist…. UVGI is a promising method but the disinfection efficacy is dependent on dose.”
In order to decontaminate masks using the UV Light Box, facilities must first ensure that N95s are assigned. The University of Nebraska Medical Center suggests healthcare workers use a permanent marker to write their, “first initial and last name, department/unit location, and date of first use,” on their mask in order to ensure the same person uses the same mask each time.
Once masks are ready for decontamination, they should be spaced about one inch apart within the UV Light Box and exposed to the UV-C light for about thirty minutes. After thirty minutes have elapsed, the masks should be flipped over and irradiated for an additional thirty minutes. At this point, the N95 masks are considered decontaminated. The NIH recommends that the fit and seal of the masks be checked before each reuse; discard a mask once it no longer fits properly.
Depending on your facility’s needs, the UV Light Box comes in two widths, 24 inches and 42 inches. If your facility would like more information on this innovative solution, please contact us at (877) 255-9472 or email our team at sales@csmedicalllc.com. We know times are tough, but we are with you through this battle against COVID-19. Together, we will overcome this pandemic.
