My patient has cold/flu-like symptoms – can they still perform a breath test?
As a global company, we must first and foremost advise that you follow your local guidelines on whether or not you should continue breath testing at this time.
Please be advised that patients with cold/flu-like symptoms can pose a higher risk of cross infection.
How safe are the D-piece™ mouthpiece filters?
The D-piece™ incorporates a one-way valve and an infection control filter, which has been tested vigorously by Public Health England to prove it removes and trap 99% and 97% of airborne bacteria and viruses respectively. Bedfont recommends the D-piece™ can be used for a continuous 30 days in conjunction with single-patient-use SteriBreath™ Eco mouthpieces.
Both the D-piece™ filter and OneBreath™ mouthpiece have been tested to filter viruses as small as 24 nanometres in diameter and the COVID-19 virus particle has a diameter of approximately 125 nanometres1. Due to the risky nature of testing live respiratory viruses, a non-pathogenic virus model is used (M2-Coliphage). The filters undergo both bacterial filter efficiency (BFE) and viral filtration efficiency (VFE). The virus model is incredibly penetrable, even more so than a majority of human viruses, therefore makes it a very affective model to use for virus filtration efficiency (VFE) testing. The model virus is approximately 24-26 nanometres in size1 in comparison to COVID-19 virus which is approximately 125 nanometres in size2. Therefore, Bedfont can conclude that bacterial and viral pathogens (including COVID-19) will effectively be removed by both the D-piece™ filter and OneBreath™ mouthpiece filter at an efficiency rate of >99% (bacteria) and >97% (viruses).
How effective is SteriTouch® against Coronavirus?
We are proud to say the ToxCO® device is integrated with SteriTouch® antimicrobial additives, which eradicate the bacteria that cause contamination and infection. SteriTouch® has released a statement on COVID-19 which reads, ‘Several of the active substances used by SteriTouch® have been successfully tested against other enveloped viruses, such as Influenza, Avian flu and SARS. It would be reasonable to imply that those same active substances would be effective against COVID-19, but at this stage testing against COVID-19 is not available.3
If you would like to take extra precautions at this time, Bedfont® recommends wearing gloves when handling the devices and instead opting for the single-use OneBreath™ mouthpiece, which contains a one-way valve and has be proven to remove and trap 99% and 97% of airborne bacteria and viruses respectively. NHS customers should follow procedures given by the NHS followed by the Infection Control and Maintenance Guidelines provided by Bedfont®.
What precautions can I take to reduce the risk of cross-infection?
At this time, Bedfont® suggests the following measures to help reduce the risk of cross-infection:
If possible, wear gloves when handling the ToxCO® device.
- Do not let the patient hold the device when performing the test – it is recommended at this time that the healthcare professional should hold the device
- If possible, opt for the single-use OneBreath™ mouthpiece instead of the D-piece™ filter and SteriBreath™ Eco mouthpiece combination
- It is recommended at all times that the patient should dispose of their mouthpiece at the end of the test, as stated in the Infection Control Maintenance Guidelines.
- As standard practice, Bedfont® recommends that the device are wiped down with non-alcoholic antibacterial/viral wipes after each breath test. For a full list of recommended cleaning wipes and solutions, please visit: Cleaning Bedfont Devices.
- The ToxCO® face mask is single-patient use and should be disposed of following local disposal guidelines.
Can I use other mouthpieces/consumables to make it safer for my patients?
Use of counterfeit or non-Bedfont® approved accessories and consumables may result in loss of performance and/or damage to your device. This risk of incorrect results could adversely affect patient care. We also remind you that counterfeit and/or non-Bedfont® accessories and consumables do not possess the quality and reliability of the original manufacturer products, nor have they undergone the Toxicology tests to ensure they are fit to be used orally, and therefore their safety and infection control efficacy cannot be guaranteed.
I’m trying to identify a cleaning product that is effective against Coronavirus and also safe for our devices. I know that we aren’t supposed to use alcohol products for example.
The World Health Organisation has labelled the latest strain of coronavirus as COVID-19. The virus that causes the disease has been named as SARS-CoV-2. The Azo Universal wipes recommended by Bedfont® have been tested by the supplier and found effective against SARS-CoV-2, as the product shows efficacy against feline coronavirus, a surrogate coronavirus for SARS-CoV-2, a test report can be shown on request.
We have also conducted testing on a 0.5% Sodium Hypochlorite solution, which was found be effective against SARS-CoV-2. Testing found that a solution of this strength had little effect on the readings and we can safely confirm that Sodium Hypochlorite with a solution ≤0.5% can be applied directly to the ToxCO® device for cleaning, a report can be shown on request.
I know we cannot use alcohol to clean the products, but can I still use a hand sanitiser containing alcohol before using the device?
During the current COVID-19 risk, we understand that using only non-alcohol sanitising products may not be feasible at this time. It is for this reason that we have tested the potential impact alcohol hand sanitising gels might have on device results. From the data obtained, it appears that commonly used hand sanitisers contain up to 73.5% alcohol, therefore we have carried out strenuous testing with a number of hand gels up to this alcohol percentage, using the devices after the hand sanitiser has completely dried.
After using and allowing hand sanitiser to dry, it was shown to have little effects on the results given by the ToxCO® device. Therefore, we can conclude that hand sanitising products with an alcohol content lower than 73.5% can be used when handling the ToxcCO® device, once hands have dried.
We must stress that more long term testing is required to determine whether or not commonly used hand sanitisers containing alcohol affect the sensors overtime, therefore it is still recommended that the user should use non-alcohol sanitising products where possible.
Alcohol sanitisers containing more than 73.5% alcohol should be avoided due to the lack of testing with regard to the impact it could have on readings.
A device accuracy test should be performed periodically to ensure it is working as intended.
We are working around the clock to provide you with current and correct information. Please check back daily for all updates regarding Coronavirus and the ToxCO® and its consumables.
If you wish to review any of the reports mentioned above, please email ask@bedfont.com.
References:
- Berkeywaterkb.com. 2020. Is The MS2 – Fr Coliphage Still Known To Be A Good Indicator Of Virus Filtration? Do You Have Tests On Any Other Viruses? – Berkey Knowledge Base. [online] Available at: http://berkeywaterkb.com/is-the-ms2-fr-coliphage-still-known-to-be-a-good-indicator-of-virus-filtration-at-least-one-article-suggests-that-it-might-not-be-do-you-have-tests-on-any-other-viruses/ [Accessed 12 June 2020].
- Avon-protection.com. 2020. [online] Available at: https://www.avon-protection.com/downloads/product_brochures/GR04471-01%20Coronavirus%20-%20WHITE%20PAPER.pdf [Accessed 12 June 2020].
- SteriTouch. 2020. CORONAVIRUS – THE STERITOUCH STANCE. [online] Available at: https://www.steritouch.com/portfolio-posts/coronavirus-steritouch-stance/ [Accessed 12 June 2020]
