[toggle title=”Q1: How long has the cleaning process been around? How was this technology developed? ” state=”closed”]

A1: The technology was developed approximately six years ago in the agricultural industry in response to a listeria outbreak. Since then, the technology has been further developed and verified by Health Canada, the University of Guelph, and the National Research Council.

[toggle title=”Q2: What is the cleaning process and how does it work?” state=”closed”]

A2: The Clēan Works® Clēan Flow Healthcare-mini® combines ultraviolet light, hydrogen peroxide vapour and ozone to clean up to 99.99% of pathogens and viruses (including coronaviruses) with no harmful by-products, residue or effects on mask integrity.

[toggle title=”Q3: Is the machine certified for cleaning PPE from the health care setting? ” state=”closed”]

A3: Yes. It has received Health Canada authorization for sale as a “medical device for use in relation to COVID-19 made by the Minister of Health on March 18, 2020,” (Ref # 313709). We have also performed successful in-house fit-testing on N95 masks that have been cleaned multiple times.

[toggle title=”Q4: Is there evidence and rationale to support the cleaning of N95 masks? ” state=”closed”]

A4: Yes. Re-use and extended use of PPE is now part of the worldwide pandemic response to ensure that workers who need PPE have a safe and protected supply. Both Health Canada and Public Health Ontario have encouraged investigation and development of policies for the re-use and extended use of PPE.

[toggle title=”Q5: How has Local 416 been involved? ” state=”closed”]

A5: The Local 416 Joint Health and Safety Committee has been engaged throughout the process. This included attending the manufacturing facility prior to procurement, participating in a product demonstration and education, as well as being consulted on the mask collection process. We will continue to engage with our Local 416 JHSC partners to further develop the sanitization process.

[toggle title=”Q6: How many times can a mask be reused? ” state=”closed”]

A6: The recommendation by the manufacturer is up to 10 times. Toronto Paramedic Services will be using five decontamination cycles as the initial standard. Changes in practice will be guided by ongoing research.

[toggle title=”Q7: What other organizations have purchased this technology to sanitize N95 masks? ” state=”closed”]

A7: This technology has been adopted by multiple health sector agencies, including Hamilton Health Sciences, Niagara Health, Peel Regional Paramedic Services, the National Research Council in Ottawa, and the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

[toggle title=”Q8: What training is required to sanitize the masks? ” state=”closed”]

A8: Equipment Repair Technicians in the PPE Re-Processing Unit assigned to operate the Clēan Works® Cleanflow Healthcare-mini® machines have received in-house training that far exceeds the manufacturer’s recommendations.

[toggle title=”Q9: Where should the masks be stored in the vehicle? ” state=”closed”]

A9: In ambulances, used N95 masks to be sanitized should be tagged, bagged, and placed in the collection bin (“PPE for Sanitization” bin) located in the designated exterior compartment). For ERVs (i.e., first response and Superintendent vehicles), the collection bins should be tightly closed and safely secured where space permits.

[toggle title=”Q10: Why is this process being done when there are mask manufacturing plants opening? ” state=”closed”]

A10: This process has been implemented as part of our contingency plan to protect future PPE stock levels. While previous mask use was recommended for single-use only, global supply chain pressures have necessitated this type of contingency planning to ensure an uninterrupted supply of PPE to protect our staff.

[toggle title=”Q11: When will staff start receiving sanitized masks for re-use? ” state=”closed”]

A11: The distribution of sanitized masks would only be initiated if the supply of PPE is anticipated to be insufficient to meet the needs of our staff. They are not replacing the purchasing of new stock.

[toggle title=”Q12: If masks are to be collected and sanitized more than once, how will Paramedics keep track of which of their masks have been previously sanitized, and how many times? ” state=”closed”]

A12: Sanitization process cycle numbers will be available to staff for each individual mask.

[toggle title=”Q13: What criteria are used to determine if a mask is suitable for sanitization? ” state=”closed”]

A13: The sanitization process is not for masks that are obviously damaged, have become hard to breathe through, have been worn during an aerosol-generating medical procedure, and/or have been contaminated with blood, respiratory/nasal secretions, or other bodily fluids.