SPECIAL NOTICE
B -- A Pilot Study of Respiratory Flow Characteristics of Healthcare Workers Using a Portable Flow Recording Device
- Notice Date
- 8/1/2018
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Procurement and Grants Office (Atlanta), 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, Georgia, 30341-4146
- ZIP Code
- 30341-4146
- Solicitation Number
- HCCLG-2018-24025
- Point of Contact
- Andrea S. Murphy, Phone: 4047182070
- E-Mail Address
-
agp8@cdc.gov
(agp8@cdc.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- I. PROJECT TITLE: "A Pilot Study of Respiratory Flow Characteristics of Healthcare Workers Using a Portable Flow Recording Device". II. SIGNIFICANCE Traditionally, healthcare workers (HCWs) wear surgical masks or N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) to reduce exposures to airborne containments in the healthcare environment. However, various studies have shown that surgical masks offer no or very minimal protection due to poor filter efficiency and excessive facepiece leakage. Negative pressure respirators (such as N95 FFRs) are associated with elevated breathing resistance, thus are not comfortable to wear. On the other hand, a powered air-purify respirator (PAPR) with a loose-fitting facepiece offers many advantages over an N95 FFR. In addition, annual fit testing is not required for loose-fitting PAPRs as opposed to N95 FFRs. Following the 2009 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), 2009 H1N1 influenza, and the recent Ebola outbreak, a significant attention has been given to choosing the optimal respiratory protection for HCWs. Various discussions have been made that PAPRs are the preferred choice than the surgical masks and N95 FFRs. In a PAPR system, the ambient air supplied to the wearer through the HEPA filters is powered by a battery-operated fan. Currently, no national or international standards are available regarding the minimum required operational flow for PAPRs used by HCWs. Given that a loose-fitting PAPR facepiece does not form a tight fit to its wearer, flow rates supplied by PAPRs must be adequate to prevent contaminated air from entering the respirator. Human breathing patterns feature a sinusoidal or trapezoidal shape. It will be helpful if inhalation flow rates, dependent on wearers and types of work being performed, are fully characterized for HCWs. The novel aspects of this research is the development of a "wearable" personal breathing recording system for assessing the breathing characteristics. The proposed system will be sufficiently small to be carried by a worker while performing regular job tasks. Completion of this study will generate information that can be used for respirator certification, standards development, respirator design and manufacturing. Successful achievement of this objective will be translated to the healthcare workplace to find better PAPRs for respiratory protection of HCWs. III. OBJECTIVES As part of recent increased efforts by the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) at CDC/NIOSH to assess PAPRs used in healthcare settings, we are contracted with NPPTL to conduct this pilot study in a simulated healthcare environment. The objective of this project is to investigate the breathing patterns and volumes for HCWs who use PAPRs with a loose-fitting facepiece. The overall goal of this study is to determine the minimum operational flow that is required for PAPRs when used by HCWs. IV. SCOPE OF WORK One breathing flow measurement system, from the Safety Equipment Australia (SEA) Pty Ltd., Australia, will be utilized in this filed evaluation. The device features a unique mechanism by including a pressure data logger module which is small enough to be carried in the wearer's pocket or belt, thus allowing continuous breathing flow monitoring over a complete shift for different types of occupational work. A reading is taken every 10 milliseconds and recorded by a data logger. The pressure data is then converted into breathing flow rate data by using a calibrated curve supplied by the manufacturer. The study will be performed in the West Virginia Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety (WV STEPS) center. A group of nine (9) healthcare workers will be recruited from WVU Healthcare System to participate in this study. The WVU simulation center is a state-of-the-art center for experiential learning with simulation. Fourteen thousand square feet of instructional space includes 4 ICU setups for life-like manikins; two 10 bed open lab spaces for practicing nursing, BLS, and ultrasound skills; twelve patient exam rooms for physical diagnosis and communication; a room for OB and Pediatric practice; a large Surgical skills unit, etc. Computerized voice-assisted manikins support the basic and advanced life support certifications. Each manikin has a dedicated computer monitor that can be programmed to mimic any patient monitor that is needed for scenarios. Each manikin has an appropriate size stretcher or bed for their age. Most necessary equipment is in the lab; however, participating groups will be allowed to bring in their own equipment if they are more comfortable with those tools. Scenarios will be designed to be consistent, with little variation across subjects. We anticipate that the testing can be completed in one day for each subject with adequate rest breaks between devices and a lunch break. IRB approval from West Virginia University will be obtained prior to the subject recruiting. Before participating in the test, subjects will be given the OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire (OSHA 1998). Only those who are medically cleared will be allowed to continue the lab-based study. Individual subjects will wear the SEA flow recording device and perform a series of exercises where their breathing patterns will be recorded. Subjects will be asked to perform the following work activities to simulate those seen in the healthcare settings (the entire exercises will run ~1 hour). 1. Set up bedding/room 2. Position patient 3. Assess patient 4. Hook up monitoring devices 5. Insert IV 6. Draw blood 7. Start IV equipment 8. Insert and set up foley 9. Take urine sample 10. Turn and bathe patient 11. Suctioning 12. Perform CPR After completing all tasks, each subject will be asked to repeat the exercises two time. Each subject will receive $150 compensation for their time ($37.5/hour x 4 hours). During the data logging, the worker's activities will be documented, and pictures will be taken with the permission of the subject. Sampling time will be adjustable depending on the total number of work activities, and the length of each activity. Based on the above experimental settings, it is concluded that the total number of runs is 9 subjects × 12 exercises × 3 replicates = 324. Expected Outcomes: The results from this study will provide better understanding of breathing flow for HCWs who perform routine tasks commonly seen in healthcare settings. The results of flow measurement will be helpful in determining the minimum required operational flow for PAPRs used by HCWs and will provide scientific data in developing PAPR Standards for "Low-flow PAPRs". V. TASKS TO BE PERFORMED The study will be completed within 12 months. This study will consist of the following tasks. Task 1 - Experimental design/protocol development/peer review. Task 2 - IRB approval/data collection. Task 3 - Data analysis and report/manuscript writing • Write up a report that details the study design, the data collection, the analysis of data and the interpretation of the results • Write draft manuscript(s) of research findings for submission to peer-reviewed journals.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/CDCP/PGOA/HCCLG-2018-24025/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 26506, United States
- Zip Code: 26506
- Zip Code: 26506
- Record
- SN05015338-W 20180803/180801230856-4554a91c19b56d1c3ca7fe437955f692 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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