AIIMS asks doctors to reuse N95 masks 4 times

India's premier medical institute, AIIMS issued circular asking doctors and other medical staff in AIIMS to use five N95 masks allotted to each of them four times so they can be used for about 20 days.

New Delhi: A circular issued by India's premier medical institute, AIIMS, on Tuesday has raised eyebrows of a section of people fighting against COVID-19 pandemic.

In a circular under the subject line Distribution of N95 masks for health care workers involved in direct patient care has asked doctors and other medical staff in AIIMS to use five N95 masks allotted to each of them four times so they can be used for about 20 days.

"As desired by the competent authority, it has been decided that N95 masks will be provided to all the health care workers involved in direct patient care. Each healthcare workers will be provided five N95 masks," said the circular issued by Dr DK Sharma, AIIMS medical superintendent.

"It is imperative that in accordance with evidence-based scientific literature, these N95 masks are to be disinfected by individual users (by keeping them in open after use or by other methods) and reused at least 4 times each, whereby these will suffice for about 20 days," the circular said.

Giving his reaction over the issue, Dr Srinivas Rajkumar T, general secretary of Resident Doctors' Association of AIIMS said that they have been writing to the administration for adequate personal protective equipment (PPEs) and N95 mask for a long time.

"...The administration has issued guidelines for using the mask four times. How can a doctor supposed to carry the infected mask home? How can this be individually is infected?" asked Rajkumar.

It may be mentioned here that 35 healthcare providers including doctors have been infected in Delhi while coming close to the COVID-19 positive patients.

Recently, a doctor from AIIMS who tested COVID-19 positive later infected his pregnant wife and his brother also.

The circular issued on Tuesday, however, have identified doctors (faculty and residents), nursing officers, technical staff and security guard as well as maintenance staff at AIIMS who will be provided with N95 mask.

As per WHO guidelines, N95 respirator can be opted for "limited reuse".

However, using one respirator for lo get than four hours can lead to discomfort and thus should be avoided.