National Academy of Sciences Interface

Program and Project Evaluation

Respiratory Protection for Healthcare Workers in the Workplace Against Novel H1N1 Influenza A: A Letter Report
External link: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12748
This new report from the Institute of Medicine recommends strategies for health care organizations and employees to prepare for the H1N1 virus. These recommendations include wearing fitted N95 respirators to guard against respiratory infection by the virus, and establishing policies for innovative triage processes, handwashing, disinfection, and more. The report also calls for a boost in research to answer questions about how the flu viruses can be spread, and to design and develop better protective equipment that would enhance workers' comfort, safety, and ability to do their jobs.

NIOSH Personal Protective Technology Program Portfolio
The Personal Protective Technology Program review was initiated in September 2007 and the report delivered June 25, 2008. NIOSH understands that external expert review is one of the most valid and accepted methods of evaluating research programs. Consequently, NIOSH requested that the National Academies (NA) evaluate NIOSH's research programs with respect to their impact, relevance, and future directions.

The Personal Protective Technology Program at NIOSH
Reviews of Research Programs of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Committee to Review the NIOSH Personal Protective Technology Program, Institute of Medicine and National Research Council

Personal Protective Technology (PPT) Action Planning, NIOSH Docket Number 146
NIOSH announced the opportunity for the public to comment on the draft PPT Implementation Plan, to Implement the National Academies Program Evaluation Recommendations. Though presented in a “top-down” approach of focusing on the five NA Report recommendations, this plan was generated “bottom-up” through the effort of a broad cross section of PPT Program employees. All aspects of the plan have been developed with the specific intent of managing the operations of the program against them.

DRAFT of the NIOSH Personal Protective Technology Program Plan to Implement the National Academies Evaluation Recommendations
PDF Only (277kb; 45 pages)

Assessment of the NIOSH Head-and-Face Anthropometric Survey of U.S. Respirator Users (2007)

Facial Anthropometrics Research Roadmap, NIOSH Docket Number 0111
NPPTL responded to the IOM report by developing an action plan for addressing the issues and recommendations described in the report. The action plan will provide a long-term strategy for facial anthropometrics and respirator fit research at NPPTL. The action plan will also describe how to implement research to practice. This draft action plan was developed by:

• analyzing the IOM recommendations to determine if existing data is available to make decisions on whether the recommendations could and/or should be implemented or not;
• reviewing on-going and proposed NPPTL research projects; and
• reviewing on-going research in NIOSH, academia, government, and industry related to anthropometrics and respirator fit

Measuring Respirator Use in the Workplace (2007)
The purpose of this survey was to evaluate respirator use and practices in the workplace to help guide NIOSH respirator certification and research.

Reusability of Facemasks During an Influenza Pandemic: Facing the Flu (2006)
Based on the assumption that efforts to produce and stockpile sufficient supplies of disposable masks and/or respirators may fall short in the event of a pandemic, the US Department of Health and Human Services requested that an IOM committee examine issues relative to the potential reuse of medical masks and N95 respirators in the event of an influenza pandemic.

Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic: Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers (2008)
The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to conduct a study on the personal protective equipment (PPE) (respirators, gloves, gowns, eye protection, and other equipment) needed by healthcare workers in the event of an influenza pandemic. The IOM committee determined that there is an urgent need to address the lack of preparedness regarding effective PPE for use in an influenza pandemic.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Healthcare Workers Action Plan, NIOSH Docket Number 0129
NIOSH announced the opportunity for the public to comment on a draft action plan document, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Healthcare Workers (HCW). The document provides a roadmap on how NIOSH/ National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) propose to address the lack of preparedness regarding effective PPE for use in an influenza pandemic. The comments and information submitted to the docket will be considered in developing the next version of this document.

Standing Committee

Institute of Medicine (IOM) Personal Protective Equipment for Workplace Safety and Health
In response to a request from the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has formed a standing Committee on Personal Protective Equipment for Workplace Safety and Health.
External Link: http://iom.edu/workplacesafety

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