Which alternative well-fit masks can be used in medical procedures?
J Infect Public Health 2024;
17:204-211. [PMID:
38113817 DOI:
10.1016/j.jiph.2023.11.023]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO and CDC recommended that healthcare personnel (HCPs) performing non-aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) don a properly fitted mask. We aimed to evaluate the fit factors (FFs) of eight alternative well-fit masks (AWMs) used by Thai HCPs.
METHODS
This comparative descriptive study was conducted on 33 HCPs between October and November 2022, categorized into three facial sizes: small, medium, and large. Each participant wore eight types of AWMs in random order: medical mask under adjustable ear-loop (AEL)-KF94 (MK), medical mask under AEL-KN95 with a hook (MN), medical mask under fabric mask (MF), AEL- KF94 (KF94), AEL-KF94 under fabric masks (KF), AEL-KF94 with a hook (KF94H), AEL-KN95 with a hook (KN95), and AEL-KN95 with a hook under fabric mask (NF). FFs were measured using a quantitative fit test.
RESULTS
The respective number of HCPs wearing small, medium, and large was 12, 12, and 9, and the mean±SD of face width and length was 132.98 ± 10.49 and 114.92 ± 10.10 mm. The highest respective median of FF was KN95 = 200, NF= 200, MN= 185, and KF94H = 171, and the respective passing fit-test rate was 97%, 84.8%, 63.6%, and 60.6%. There was no difference in FFs between the N95 and KN95 (p=0.72), the N95 and NF (p=0.202), and the three face sizes. Moreover, KF94H pass rates were significantly higher for females compared to males (OR = 13.3; p = 0.001) and for small facial sizes compared to either medium or large sizes (OR = 14.7; p = 0.009).
CONCLUSION
The AEL-KN95 with hook and sponge at the nosepiece is an effective respirator for use by HCPs in non-AGPs, as the FF and fit test pass rates were comparable to those of N95, and there were no differences in FFs between facial sizes. However, the female who had a small face size may use a KF94H as an alternative PPE.
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