Disinfection of 3D-printed protective face shield during COVID-19 pandemic

• Published in: American journal of infection control Vol. 49; no. 4; pp. 512 - 515
• Main Authors: Noguera, Saidy Vásconez, Espinoza, Evelyn Patrícia Sánchez, Côrtes, Marina Farrel, Oshiro, Izabel Cristina Vilela, Spadão, Fernanda de Sousa, Brandão, Laura Maria Brasileiro, Barros, Ana Natiele da Silva, Costa, Sibeli, de Almeida, Bianca Leal, Soriano, Paula Gemignani, Salles, Alessandra Grassi, Escorcio, Mirian Elizabete Marques, Barretti, Cristina Madeira, Baptista, Fernanda Spadotto, Alvarenga, Glaura Souza, Marinho, Igor, Letaif, Leila Suemi Harima, Li, Ho Ye, Bacchi, Pedro, Guedes dos Santos, Ana Rubia, Regadas, Lucas Borges, Braga, Carlos Eduardo Lima, Zsigmond, Fabio, Segurado, Aluísio Cotrim, Guimaraes, Thais, Levin, Anna Sara, Bertoldi, Cristiane Aun, Catalani, Luiz Henrique, Zancul, Eduardo de Senzi, Costa, Silvia Figueiredo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.04.2021; Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc
• Subjects: 3D printer face shield; Autoclaving; Brief Report; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; Data Collection; Disinfectants - pharmacology; Disinfection - methods; Equipment Design; Ethanol - pharmacology; Health Personnel; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide - pharmacology; Personal Protective Equipment - virology; Printing, Three-Dimensional; SARS-CoV-2; Sodium Hypochlorite - pharmacology; Autoclaving; 3D printer face shield
• ISSN: 0196-6553; 1527-3296
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2020.10.008

•This study evaluated the face shields obtained by 3D-Printing technology, test chemical disinfectants 70% ethanol; H2O2-quaternary ammonium salt mixture; 0.1% sodium hypochlorite and autoclaving to disinfecting the models and to assess the comfort, visibility and feasibility on real life.•All designs were considered suitable, and there was no important difference between them.•Disinfection was done 40 times on each type of mask without physical damage. On the other hand, autoclaving was not useful and led to important face shield physical damage. This study assessed the disinfection using 70% ethanol; H2O2-quaternary ammonium salt mixture; 0.1% sodium hypochlorite and autoclaving of four 3D-printed face shields with different designs, visor materials; and visor thickness (0.5-0.75 mm). We also investigated their clinical suitability by applying a questionnaire to health workers (HW) who used them. Each type of disinfection was done 40 times on each type of mask without physical damage. In contrast, autoclaving led to appreciable damage.