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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Jul;134(13-14):522-528.
doi: 10.1007/s00508-022-02022-1. Epub 2022 Apr 12.

Reusable respirators as personal protective equipment in clinical practice : User experience in times of a pandemic

Mathias Maleczek  1   2   3 , Frédéric Toemboel  4 , Maximiliaan Van Erp  5 , Florian Thalhammer  6 , Bernhard Rössler  1   2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Reusable respirators as personal protective equipment in clinical practice : User experience in times of a pandemic

Mathias Maleczek et al. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2022 Jul.

Abstract

Background: The novel strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is highly contagious; therefore, special emphasis must be given to personal protective equipment for healthcare workers. Reusable elastomeric respirators were previously used in intensive care units (ICU). These respirators include full or half masks and devices modified to accommodate a filter. Although the general comfort of masks used in the ICU has been studied, data comparing multiple types of masks during a pandemic are missing.

Methods: A prospective randomized trial was conducted in an ICU. After standardized training, participants were randomized to use one of three mask types (full, half or snorkelling mask), each fitted with a filter equivalent to a class 3 particle-filtering half mask (FFP3) during one shift. The main outcomes were characteristics of using the mask itself (donning/doffing, quality of seal, cleaning), working conditions with the mask (vision, comfort, perceived safety, communication) and a subjective comparison to single-use FFP2/3 masks.

Results: A total of 30 participants were included in the trial, randomized to 10 participants per group. The masks were worn 6.4 (4.5) times (mean SD) for a total duration of 132 (66) min per shift. The tested masks were rated 7 (2.6) (mean SD) in comparison to FFP2/3 on a Likert scale (0: worst, 10: best). Significant differences between the masks were found in respect to comfort (7/4/8), donning (8/7/9), overall rating (8/5/8) and comparison to single-use FFP2/3 masks (9/7/9; full-, half, snorkelling mask).

Conclusion: Using reusable elastomeric masks is feasible in clinical practice. Full face masks were significantly better in terms of comfort, donning, overall rating and in comparison to single-use FFP2/3 masks.

Keywords: COVID; FFP3; Intensive care; Mask; SARS-CoV‑2.

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Conflict of interest statement

M. Maleczek, F. Toemboel, M. Van Erp, F. Thalhammer and B. Rössler declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Boxplots of all reported variables regarding mask performance are shown. Value is the value on the Likert scale, asterisk indicates reaching a significance level < 0.05. Comp. FFP comparison with FFP, Comm., Team communication with team, Comm., Pat. communication with patients
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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