The
COVID-19 pandemic exposed the limitations of global health systems' abilities to manage the rapid spread of a novel
infectious disease, which was exacerbated by shortages of
respiratory protective devices and other critical
personal protective equipment (PPE). An advisory panel of experienced health-care professionals with backgrounds in Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS),
Infection Prevention, Nursing, and Clinical Application Specialists convened to discuss challenges and strategies associated with the selection and use of
respiratory protective devices as experienced during the first year of the
COVID-19 pandemic. This discussion led to the following recommendations: 1) the need for clear communication of alternative respiratory protection selection and use recommendations in accordance with US regulatory and agency guidance; 2) the need for collaboration between
Infection Prevention, OEHS, clinical staff, supply chain/materials management, emergency preparedness, executive leadership, and finance; 3) the need for adequate stockpiling, inventory rotation, and diverse respiratory protection options to accommodate the majority of health-care workers; 4) the need for efficient and innovative strategies to communicate evolving regulatory, agency, and facility recommendations and to deliver appropriate training on respiratory protection; and 5) the need for additional research on respiratory protection use - involving filtering facepiece
respirators (FFRs) as well as other
respirator types designed to be reused - to balance
infection prevention best practices with a sustainable process. In conclusion, these considerations may offer guidance and identify areas for research on preparedness, communication, education, and training to enhance the preparation of health-care facilities including community-based health-care organizations for unexpected public health events.