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Review
. 2008 Mar;36(2):135-41.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2007.04.284.

Evaluation of the rationale for concurrent use of N95 filtering facepiece respirators with loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators during aerosol-generating medical procedures

Raymond J Roberge  1
Affiliations
Review

Evaluation of the rationale for concurrent use of N95 filtering facepiece respirators with loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators during aerosol-generating medical procedures

Raymond J Roberge. Am J Infect Control. 2008 Mar.

Abstract

The concurrent use of N95 filtering facepiece respirators with powered air-purifying respirators during aerosol-generating medical procedures in patients with severe respiratory pathogens has been promoted as offering additional protection against infectious agents. The purpose of this article is to examine the impact of this additional respiratory equipment upon protection and personal performance. The presumed additive protective effect of an N95 filtering facepiece respirator used concurrently with a powered air-purifying respirator has not been subjected to rigorous scientific investigation. The burden imposed by additional respiratory protective equipment should not be discounted, and the potentially minor contribution to protection may be offset by the negative impact on personal performance. Novel uses of protective equipment occasionally are spawned during crisis situations, but their generalized applicability to healthcare workers should ultimately be evidence-based.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
N95FFR and protective eyewear used in tandem with a loose-fitting (shrouded) powered air-purifying respirator. (Photograph courtesy of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health/National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory/NIOSH.)
Fig 2
Fig 2
N95FFR. (Photograph courtesy of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health/National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory.)
Fig 3
Fig 3
A loose-fitting, powered air-purifying respirator. (Photograph courtesy of the North Safety Products, Inc., Cranston, RI.)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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