SOPS for preparation of solutions for testing NHS respirators

Abstract

The fit of the respirators used by NHS workers in treating COVID-19 patients is tested to ensure they are properly protected. This is done by spraying a strong-tasting solution in the face of the person wearing a respirator. If they can taste the solution, the respirator does not fit properly or is otherwise faulty. Suitable solutions are sold commercially but there appears to be a shortage and some hospitals are struggling to secure the volumes needed to keep NHS staff protected. As solutions identical to the commercial solutions are easy to prepare and the materials required are cheap, the University of Southampton has successfully prepared stocks for use in Southampton General Hospital and neighbouring NHS trusts and services. The solutions conform to British Standard BS ISO 16975‑3:2017 and the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 29 CFR 1910.134 are rigorously quality checked before delivery. In this document we have provided the QC form we used to validate our process and the procedures we used internally to ensure we produced solutions to the required specifications that were sterilised for storage and properly labelled for the end user. Please note these are not “instructions” – in undertaking this work you are to use your own expert knowledge and assess all risks and other requirements yourself. The University of Southampton does not accept any legal liability.

More information

Identifiers

Catalogue record

Export record

ASCII CitationAtomBibTeXData Cite XMLDublin CoreDublin CoreEP3 XMLEndNoteHTML CitationHTML CitationHTML ListJSONMETSMODSMPEG-21 DIDLOpenURL ContextObjectOpenURL ContextObject in SpanRDF+N-TriplesRDF+N3RDF+XMLRIOXX2 XMLReferReference ManagerSimple Metadata