[Wuhan Pneumonia] Why is there insufficient supply of CSI surgical mask hospitals in the Correctional Services Department?

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Written by: Zheng Qiuling and Zheng Cuibi

2020-02-12 07:00

Due to the strain of the new coronavirus and the shortage of masks throughout the port, masks in public hospitals are only one month away. The Hospital Authority requires that front-line medical care be used with caution. The government has repeatedly mentioned that the supply of masks must prioritize medical care and that it has been searched and purchased globally. , And reliance on the Correctional Services Department and Science Park to produce masks. Many citizens ask why the Correctional Services Department is producing masks, but the HA is in a shortage of masks?

It is understood that the reason is that the specifications of the masks produced by the Correctional Services Department did not meet the requirements of the Hospital Authority. At present, the specifications of surgical masks used by the Hospital Authority are> 99% for BFE tests and> 99% for PFE tests; however, the two masks produced by the Correctional Services Department are only> 95%, which are suitable for daily use by the public, but not suitable for medical care in the ward. The use of internal means that the increase in the production of masks by the Correctional Services Department does not help to solve the shortage of hospital masks, and it still needs to purchase externally.

The HA did not deny the relevant statement in its reply, only that the surgical masks currently used in public hospitals were uniformly purchased by the HA's main office through public bidding. Suppliers who were interested in bidding would bid to the HA in accordance with the bidding requirements.

▼ Hong Kong's abnormal daily life under the epidemic ▼

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WHO Response Guidelines: Surgical masks to the highest specifications

The World Health Organization ’s guidelines for the prevention and control of new coronaviruses. Personal protective equipment (PPE) that is effective for medical care. Surgical mask standards must meet Level 2 or Level 3 of the American Society for Materials and Testing (ASTM) F2100, the highest specification. According to the mask test report published by the Consumer Council of Hong Kong in 2017, "ASTM F2100-11" requires three levels of masks. Among them, the requirement for bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE), level one means ≥95%; level two and level three. Must reach ≥98%.

The World Health Organization ’s guidelines for the prevention and control of new types of coronavirus, personal protective equipment (PPE) effective for medical care, surgical mask standards must meet the second or third level of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM F2100) (in red box) . (Screenshot of WHO file)

The HA's procurement standards BFE and PFE must be more than 99%

According to the Epidemic Prevention Alert issued by the Hospital Authority to employees in response to Wuhan Pneumonia, the surgical masks used at the time of compliance indicated that they conform to the first level standard of "ASTM F2100-11", and the packaging was also marked with relevant values, but the test report provided by the mask manufacturer showed that The actual effectiveness includes bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) greater than 99.9%; particle filtration efficiency (PFE) is 99.7%; pressure difference (ie, air permeability) is 2.9; and synthetic blood penetration resistance is 80mmHg. That is, the actual measurement results reach the second or third grade. To take care of patients with Wuhan pneumonia, wear N95, eye protection, waterproof protective clothing, disposable gloves and protective caps.

Correctional Services filtering mask BFE, PFE are both> 95%

According to the "filter mask (ear-hook)" produced by the Correctional Services Department, the packaging box is listed as a three-layer structure. The material composition is polypropylene non-woven fabric, which is breathable and waterproof. Both BFE and PFE are> 95%, but Numbers such as permeability and synthetic blood penetration resistance are not listed. The top of the box bears the "Q 唛" mark of the Hong Kong Quality Marking Authority and is certified by the Quality Product Scheme. Check the website of the Correctional Services Department. The department has an automatic ear-hook filter mask manufacturing and welding machine for seamless ultrasonic welding.

It is understood that the Hospital Authority currently purchases various materials by itself, but because the Correctional Services Department's masks do not meet the current specifications provided by the Hospital Authority for front-line health care, even if the Correctional Services Department increases the production of masks, the Hospital Authority cannot purchase them. Difficulties in front-line medical masks in short supply.

Experts: health care needs better protection in contact with infected patients

Why don't medical staff use Correctional Services masks with> 95% BFE and PFE? Infectious and infectious disease specialist Zeng Qiyin said that most of the hospital's flow of patients is patients, and medical staff need to have close contact with patients. They should use better quality masks. The higher the percentage of BFE and PFE, the more successful the mask can be. The greater the chance of particles. He believes that the quality of the masks is different because the materials are different and has no direct relationship with the way of making.

Kong Fanyi, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Department of Internal Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, said that he believes that the Hospital Bureau hopes to use better quality masks to protect frontline staff. "If masks with BFE> 95% are used, there may be places in the emergency department and other places Higher risk, because there is an outbreak in the community and health care workers may be exposed to patients with respiratory infections or pneumonia. "

The HA did not deny the relevant statement. In reply to the inquiry, it only stated that the surgical masks currently used in public hospitals were uniformly purchased by the HA's main office through public bidding. Suppliers who are interested in bidding will bid to the Hospital Authority in accordance with the bidding requirements.

Lin Zheng repeatedly said that health care is a priority, and HA's existing masks remain for one month

The Hospital Authority recently pointed out that its current stock of surgical masks is about 16 million, which is only enough for one month of use. However, the supply of mainland manufacturers is unstable and there are procurement difficulties, but it has not responded positively to whether it has obtained or purchased masks produced by the Correctional Services Department. . The Hospital Authority's Networking Services Director, Yeung Ho-Kang, was asked if he would ask the government to supply the Correctional Services Department's masks to the HA. He responded that he received government assistance in the delivery of the masks, but if there is any delay in the supply, the government promises to Give the materials on hand to the medical staff first.

Chief Executive Lin Zheng Yue'e said for two days in a row that masks should be given priority to medical staff, including mentioning that the supply of masks produced by the Correctional Services Department is not large, the daily consumption of the Hospital Authority has been grasped, and the production lines of the Correctional Services Department and the Science Park are difficult to guarantee. Continue to supply masks to all medical staff. Lin Zheng mentioned that she had asked government departments to wear masks as “institutes” according to the guidelines, but did not comply with the requirement that officials “should wear them” in order to make medical masks available to medical staff. After controversial statements, she explained that the government would give priority to care Medical care is needed, so officials want to lead by example to reduce the amount and apologize for "misunderstanding caused by unclear expression."

The Hospital Authority recently stated that there are only 16 million masks in existence, which is only enough for one month of use, and it also has difficulty in purchasing. (Profile picture)

Correctional Services Department Hospital Authority Mask Teaching and Quotes