RE: HEPA filters for suction units

We were/are using HEPA hoods (Skyservice Lifeguard)

Five (5) of them

For all crew member

Definitely more efficient Than the straight HEPA mask (Especially for long flights)

More comfortable for both you ant your Pt (able to see your face)

This is where we are at (certainly with SARS... full suit)

Charles Brault EMT-P

www.racalhealth.com/airmate.htm

-----Original Message-----
From: RONALD JOHNSON [mailto:rjohnson_fn@msn.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 9:23 PM
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