Quantitative fit testing with limited supplies of respirator masks in hospital personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cameron, Shanel; Cheung, Winston; Cronin, N. J.; Griffiths, Karina; Hunt, Rhiannon; Innes, Lesley; Kol, Mark; Lawrence, A. G.; Shah, Asim A; Skylas, Katina; Wagh, Atul

doi:10.1071/ah20154

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The vast majority (> 95%) of HCWs will pass fit testing with standard filtering facepiece respirators and sizes [30]. A 2020 study of 371 HCWs who underwent quantitative testing of the respirator masks commonly provided to hospitals in Australia at the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic found that just six (1.6%) failed the five most common masks [54]. Elastomer half mask respirators or powered air purified respirators are an option for those who fail all standard masks and sizes.…”

Section: Financial and Logistical Implications Of Implementing A Fit Testing Programmementioning

confidence: 99%

The role of fit testing N95/FFP2/FFP3 masks: a narrative review

2020

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For healthcare workers performing aerosol-generating procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic, well fitted filtering facepiece respirators, for example, N95/FFP2 or N99/FFP3 masks, are recommended as part of personal protective equipment. In this review, we evaluate the role of fit checking and fit testing of respirators, in addition to airborne protection provided by respirators. Filtering facepiece respirators are made of material with sufficient high filter capacity to protect against airborne respiratory viruses. Adequate viral protection can only be provided by respirators that properly fit the wearer's facial characteristics. Initial fit pass rates vary between 40% and 90% and are especially low in female and in Asian healthcare workers. Fit testing is recommended to ensure a proper fit of respirators for the individual healthcare worker so that alternative respirators can be selected if required. Although fit testing is required to comply with respirator standards, it is not performed consistently within all healthcare settings. Fit checking (a self-test) is recommended every time a healthcare worker dons a respirator, but is unreliable in detecting proper fit or leak. Additionally, fit testing has a high educational value and as such is best performed as part of a hospital respiratory protection programme. Whether fit checking alone, as opposed to fit tested and fit checked respirators, provides adequate airborne protection against aerosols containing the SARS-CoV-2 virus and other respiratory viruses remains unknown. While fit testing undoubtedly incurs additional costs, it is still recommended, not only to protect healthcare workers but also as it may reduce overall healthcare cost when considering the potential costs of sickness leave and the associated legal costs of compensation.

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Section: Financial and Logistical Implications Of Implementing A Fit Testing Programmementioning

confidence: 99%

The role of fit testing N95/FFP2/FFP3 masks: a narrative review

2020

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“…This led to investigations of sterilization options for the safe reuse of PPE [86,[93][94][95][96][97], as well as a repurposing of local production to meet demand, such as gin distilleries pivoting to produce hand sanitizer [18], and a restarting of local PPE production [98,99]. While masks were generally in short supply during the early days of the pandemic, this in particular applied to masks with higher levels of protection (N95) and among these masks with tighter and better fitting designs, such as flat-fold masks [100]. The shortage of standard masks soon resulted in a 'run' on P2 and N95 masks used for the professional building and gardening trade [101], outstripping supply within a week or two.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Memories of COVID-19: The Types of Fitted Face Masks Between Public Health Advice and Personal Choice

Spennemann¹

2023

Preprint

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As the COVID-19 pandemic begins to abate and national public health systems are treating the SARS-Cov-2 virus as endemic, many public health measures are no longer mandated, but remain recommended with voluntary participation. One of these is the wearing of fitted face masks, initially mandated to contain, or at least slow, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 which is primarily transmitted via aerosols emitted while breathing, coughing, or sneezing. While the habit of once wearing fitted face masks recedes into memory for much of the population, so does the knowledge of the various types of masks that were once en vogue. To create a record for the future, this paper provides the first comprehensive documentation of the nature and range of fitted facemasks that circulated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“…Although masks were generally in short supply during the early days of the pandemic, this in particular applied to masks with higher levels of protection (N95) and those among these masks with tighter and better-fitting designs, such as flat-fold masks [87]. The shortage of standard masks soon resulted in a 'run' on P2 and N95 masks used for the professional building and gardening trade, outstripping supply within a week or two.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Documenting COVID-19 for Posterity: A Review of the Types of Fitted Face Masks Worn in Albury (Australia)

Spennemann

2023

Hygiene

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As the COVID-19 pandemic begins to abate and national public health systems are treating the SARS-CoV-2 virus as endemic, many public health measures are no longer mandated but remain recommended with voluntary participation. One of these is the wearing of fitted face masks, initially mandated to contain, or at least slow, the spread of SARS-CoV-2, which is primarily transmitted via aerosols emitted while breathing, coughing, or sneezing. Although the habit of once wearing fitted face masks recedes into memory for much of the population, so does the knowledge of the various types of masks that were once en vogue. To create a record for the future, this paper provides the first comprehensive documentation of the nature and range of fitted facemasks that circulated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

show abstract

Quantitative fit testing with limited supplies of respirator masks in hospital personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 10 publications

References 5 publications

The role of fit testing N95/FFP2/FFP3 masks: a narrative review

The role of fit testing N95/FFP2/FFP3 masks: a narrative review

Memories of COVID-19: The Types of Fitted Face Masks Between Public Health Advice and Personal Choice

Documenting COVID-19 for Posterity: A Review of the Types of Fitted Face Masks Worn in Albury (Australia)

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