Published by N95Decon
Version 1.1, 05/16/2020

N95 Respirator Emergency Decontamination

Example Return to Original User Setup and Logistics
Intended Audience:​ Hospital logistics staff, to be determined by each hospital.

SummaryThis is an example of how a hospital might implement decontamination of N95 filtering
facepiece respirators (FFRs) and is designed to be generic enough to be adapted to different
methods of decontamination. This document was synthesized by N95DECON from a review ofpublished and unpublished N95 decontamination protocols implemented in U.S. hospitals.
This document illustrates the logistics of implementing the “Transfer Station” method forin-hospital N95 decontamination. In this method, used N95 FFRs are deposited at a Transfer
Station by healthcare workers (HCWs). They are then taken to a Decontamination Station, andafter decontamination, they are returned again to the original user. If an ​external
decontamination service​ is used they may provide more specific or additional guidelines thatmust be followed.​ ​Example implementations are noted in blue italics​.
Decontamination procedures are under development at many organizations. The guidance
may change. See ​n95decon.org​ for updates. Please send comments and feedback athttps://www.n95decon.org/contact​.
Reviewed by​: MDs (2), COVID ICU RNs (2), and Hospital Health and Safety Staff (2)Updates in v1.1:​ Update language from ‘return to index-user’ to ‘return to original user’.

Information and Resources
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Several processes that have been implemented at other institutions and used forcomparison can be found at ​https://www.n95decon.org/example-processes​.
Literature reviews of different decontamination methods published by N95DECON canbe found at ​https://www.n95decon.org/publications
A bibliography of sources for this and other N95DECON publications can be found athttps://www.n95decon.org/bibliography​.
CDC guidance for optimizing respirator supply
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirators-strategy/index.html
CDC extended use and limited reuse
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hcwcontrols/recommendedguidanceextuse.html
CDC Decontamination and Reuse of Filtering Facepiece Respirators
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/decontamination-reuserespirators.html

DISCLAIMER: The Content provided by N95DECON is for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY and DOESNOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE and IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE
FOR INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL JUDGMENT, ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. Useor reliance on any Content provided by N95DECON is SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK. A link to the full
N95DECON disclaimer can be found at​ https://www.n95decon.org/disclaimer​.
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Transfer Station Overview
This method coordinates N95 dropoff, decontamination, and N95 pickup, while ensuring thateach N95 is returned to its original owner.​ The graphic below illustrates the process(available as a standalone figure ​here​). More details below in the ‘Example Workflow’ section.

● Healthcare workers (HCWs) are assigned a Transfer Station where DIRTY N95 FFRs are
stored and CLEANED N95 FFRs are picked up. The DIRTY dropoff site and CLEANEDpickup site should be clearly separated (e.g. two different tables) to reduce risk of crosscontamination. A CLEANED N95 is reused by the same HCW who used it originally.
● HCWs label fresh N95 FFRs with their first initial, last name, and Transfer Station location
code with a label or soft-tipped permanent marker prior to first donning. Different
institutions have chosen to label either the strap or facepiece of the N95. The impact oflabeling on the integrity and/or decontamination of N95 FFRs has not been characterized.
● DIRTY N95 FFRs from a given Transfer Station go to the same Decon Station every time.
● Transport Technicians are assigned to a Decon Station. They transport N95 FFRs between
Transfer Stations and the Decon Station, and sort N95 FFRs to ensure they are returned tothe same HCW.
● Decon Technicians are assigned to a specific Decon Station and process DIRTY N95 FFRs.

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Initial Setup
1. Establish record keeping
a. Track the number of new N95 FFRs and the number of decontaminated N95
FFRs delivered to each Transfer Station. ​Example: Filled by Materials
Management personnel or Transport Team.
Transfer Station 1 - CLEANED N95 Dropoff Log
Date & TimeNumber

4/12/2020; 8pm

20

4/13/2020; 8pm

18b. Track the number of N95 FFRs being decontaminated for the first time, thenumber that will reach their max number of decon cycles and be removed fromcirculation instead of being returned to users, and the number of total N95 FFRs
delivered to each Decontamination Station. ​Example: Filled by Materials
Management personnel or Decontamination Team.
Decontamination Station 1 - N95 Dropoff Log
TransferStation

N95 FFRs with nodecon cycles (notallies)

N95 FFRs onlast decon cycle(max-1 tallies)

TotalN95FFRs

Date & TimeLoc 3

81204/12/2020; 8pm

Loc 463174/13/2020; 8pm

2. Choose Transfer Stations, set up physical equipment for N95 storage, put up signage
instructing HCW on how to use the Transfer Station. Physically separate the CLEANED
N95 pickup and the DIRTY N95 dropoff to prevent contamination. Example signage for
HCW by N95DECON can be found ​here​.
3. Choose decontamination stations (Decon Stations), set up physical equipment for
Decon Stations, put up signage.
4. Assign HCWs to Transfer Stations. Limit number of HCWs per Transfer Station.
Example: 20 HCWs at location A4
5. Assign each Transfer Station to a Decon Station. ​Example: A4 and A5 to UVC-2
6. Assign Transport Technicians and Decontamination Technicians to each Decon Station.
Example: 5 Transport Technicians and 5 Decontamination Technicians at UVC-2
7. Train HCWs, Hospital Logistics Staff, and Decontamination Team. Clear communication
to HCW and Staff is critical.

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Initial Purchases (one-time)
One-time purchases
Item

Example Vendor

Qty

Unit costWalmart​ 10-shelf
floor-mounted shoe rack

1 shelf per HCW.
At minimum 2 per
station (one forcleaned N95, onefor dirty).

$21.99Walmart 24 pocket
door-mounted hanging shoerack (4 columns, 6 rows)

1 row per HCW
At minimum 2 per
station (one forcleaned N95, onefor dirty)

Uline

Depends on pickup
schedule$215 (​28 x 16 x 22")$260 (30 x 20 x 27")

Any table already available

Racks for N95
FFRs

Transport bins

$9.50

Consumables
Item

Example Vendor

Qty

Unit cost

Brown Paper Bags

Walmart Brown Paper Bags
Office Supply Brown PaperBags

1.2 per N95
processed$13 (100ct)$13.93 (500ct)

White Paper Bags

Walmart White​ Paper Bags

1.2 per N95
processed$19.24 (500ct)

Plastic bags

Target Ziploc Bag

1.2 per N95
processed$8.69 (80ct)

Indelible soft tipmarkers

Amazon Fine tip sharpie

5 per station$6.99 (12ct)

Stickers

Online Labels

1.2 per N95
processed$10.45 (600 labels)

EPA Approved
Disinfectant

Clorox Healthcare

VariesVaries

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Example Workflow
1. The DIRTY and CLEANED Transfer Stations should be clearly separated, labeled “DIRTY[or CLEANED] Emergency Respirators”, and be distinguishable at a glance (e.g. by color).
2. Transport Technician refills the stock of new paper bags for used N95 FFRs at theTransfer Station and checks that there are markers or pre-labels available. Transport
Technician fills out the number of new and number of decontaminated N95 FFRs
delivered to each Transfer Station.
3. HCW drops off used but undamaged N95 as specified in the ​Donning & Doffing
Procedure​ into a labeled paper bag at his or her DIRTY drop off location at the Transfer
Station. Paper bags are suggested so the N95 FFRs do not retain moisture.
4. Following a route and schedule set by Hospital Logistics, the Transport Technician(donning appropriate PPE based on institution guidelines) picks up contaminated N95
FFRs from the Transfer Station DIRTY drop off location, using a Transport Bin.
5. Transport Technician brings the Transport Bin to the DIRTY Staging Area in the Decon
Station, where it is dropped off and added to the queue. Transport Technician fills out thechain of custody form, example given in ‘Initial Setup’ section above.
6. When the bin is next in the queue, Decontamination Technician moves bin to the Decon
Stations and decontaminates N95 FFRs following ​process-specific SOP (e.g. UV-C)​.
7. N95 FFRs that are visibly damaged, soiled, or not appropriately labeled are disposed ofas medical waste. N95 FFRs that have exceeded the max number of cycles are disposedof, or (for sterilizing processes) may be sterilized and stored in an emergency stockpile.
8. All used paper bags are disposed of as medical waste.
9. During decontamination time: Decontamination Technician disinfects the Transport Binwith ​EPA approved disinfectant​ then moves it to the CLEANED staging area.
10. When decontamination is complete, the Decontamination Technician dons clean gloves
and removes all N95 FFRs from the Decon Stations one by one.
a. Inspect each one, disposing of any that are damaged. ​For processes that sterilize theN95 (e.g. H​2​O​2​), the decontamination technician may increment the tally ofdecontamination cycles on the N95; otherwise this duty falls to the HCW, see below.
b. Transfer to CLEANED bags. If paper bags are used they must be a different color thanthe DIRTY bags, and must be labeled with the HCW and Transfer Station location. Ifplastic bags are used, ensure no moisture is trapped in the bag that could lead tomicroorganism growth.
c. Place CLEANED bags in the CLEANED Transport Bin.
11. Transport Technician picks up CLEANED Transport Bin.
12. Transport Technician returns the Transport Bin to the appropriate Transfer Station andunloads N95 FFRs into their appropriate CLEANED spots. This will be done by finding theN95 owner’s name on the bag, and placing the bag in that person’s spot. Any N95 FFRs
that are visibly damaged or whose HCW cannot be determined are disposed of.
Transport Technician fills out the chain of custody form. See ‘Initial Setup’ section above.
13. When complete, the Transport Technician returns the transport bin to the Decon Stations
or begins at step 1 again.

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