Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Language

English

Publication Date

7-1-2024

Journal

American Journal of Infection Control

DOI

10.1016/j.ajic.2024.01.015

PMID

38278304

PMCID

PMC11522955

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

10-30-2024

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

Background: During public health emergencies, demand for N95 filtering facepiece respirators (N95 FFRs) can outpace supply. Elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMRs) are a potential alternative that are reusable and provide the same or higher levels of protection. This study sought to examine the practical aspects of EHMR use among health care personnel (HCP).

Methods: Between September and December 2021, 183 HCPs at 2 tertiary referral centers participated in this 3-month EHMR deployment, wearing the EHMR whenever respiratory protection was required according to hospital protocols (ie, when an N95 FFR would typically be worn) and responding to surveys about their experience.

Results: Participants wore EHMRs typically 1 to 3 hours per shift, reported disinfecting the respirator after 85% of the removals, and reported high confidence in using the EHMR following the study. EHMRs caused minimal interference with patient care tasks, though they did inhibit communication.

Discussion: HCP who had not previously worn an EHMR were able to wear it as an alternative to an N95 FFR without much-reported interference with their job tasks and with high disinfection compliance.

Conclusions: This study highlights the feasibility of the deployment of EHMRs during a public health emergency when an alternative respirator option is necessary.

Keywords

Humans, Health Personnel, N95 Respirators, Male, COVID-19, Adult, Female, Respiratory Protective Devices, Middle Aged, Masks, Surveys and Questionnaires, Equipment Reuse, Disinfection, Elastomers, SARS-CoV-2

Published Open-Access

yes

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