Do we need to throw a filter (used with a PAPR) away when used for/with an H1N1 patient for only one hour?

Powered air purifying respirator filters used for protection against viruses have no time limit as to their ability to remove viruses from the air stream. Their use is subject to other considerations by the infection control or safety officer in the healthcare facility. Therefore, it is recommended there be written facility standards for use and disposal of these filters. However, filters and cartridges cannot be cleaned, sanitized, or disinfected and should be properly disposed of after use.

At this time, neither the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nor the World Health Organization (WHO) have provided any recommendations for cleaning, sanitizing, or disinfecting respirators used for novel H1N1 virus exposures. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires respirator users to follow either the respirator manufacturer’s instructions or OSHA’s general procedures for cleaning respirators in 29 CFR 1910.134 Appendix B-2; however, OSHA’s procedures are not specific for novel H1N1 virus and may not lead to disinfection.

Refer to the User Instructions for the specific PAPR unit and headgear to identify the components that can be cleaned.