RE: HEPA filters for suction units

[eniegelb@notes.cc.sunysb.edu]

Every suction unit has to "discharge" the vacuum air that it creates
somewhere.  The "stuff" you suction ends up in the canister, the air that
is used to create the suction probably is discharged at the suction pump
itself.  I can only guess that the general concern is that aerosolized
(sp?) particles can be discharged from the pump into the ambient air.
Placing a HEPA filter on the exhaust line should theoretically negate the
possibility of bad stuff getting into the air.


Eric Niegelberg
EMS Director
ED Administrator
631-444-2496



|---------+----------------------------->
|         |           "Tom Waters"      |
|         |           <tom@tomwaters.net|
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|         |           Sent by:          |
|         |           flightmed-admin@fl|
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|         |           06/03/03 04:26 PM |
|         |           Please respond to |
|         |           flightmed         |
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  |       To:       <flightmed@flightweb.com>                                                                                    |
  |       cc:                                                                                                                    |
  |       Subject:  RE: HEPA filters for suction units                                                                           |
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Trying to figure out the connection between Pilot and Suction Unit ?
(anyone else see this?)

Fly Safe!

Tom
      -----Original Message-----
      From: flightmed-admin@flightweb.com
      [mailto:flightmed-admin@flightweb.com] On Behalf Of RONALD JOHNSON
      Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 14:23
      To: flightmed@flightweb.com
      Subject: Re: HEPA filters for suction units

      I don't know any pilot I've ever seen in a helo wear any kind of
      mask. Doubt you  will get one to wear a HEPA.

      RJ
       ----- Original Message -----
       From: Nan Walker
       To: flightmed@flightweb.com
       Cc: Pete Limbacher
       Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 2:13 PM
       Subject: HEPA filters for suction units

       I have been resisting opening this can of worms...but here goes...
       The CDC guidelines for SARS air medical transport refer to HEPA
       filters for suction units.  Despite my efforts and those of our most
       excellent equipment dude, Pete Limbacher, we have not found that
       such a thing exists.  I am hoping that one of the list's AMPA
       members, who helped write the guidelines, can enlighten us.
       (Editorial comment:  why would that be particularly important, given
       that we will have to wear N-95's anyway.  And, if it is so
       important, why isn't part of guidelines for TB patient procedures?)

       Thanks, Nan


       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
       Nan Walker ARNP
       Clinical Nurse Specialist
       Airlift Northwest
       nwalker@u.washington.edu
       Mailstop 359955
       206.521.1595  Pager 206.559.5751  Fax 206.521.1865