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Fit Testing Retrofitted Full-Face Snorkel Masks as a Form of Novel Personal Protective Equipment During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Toigo, Stephanie; Jacques, Michel; Razek, Tarek; Rajda, Ewa; Omelon, Sidney; Dankoff, Frederic; Tohme, Rami; Lefebvre, Patricia; Deckelbaum, Dan L.
  • Toigo S; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montréal, Canada.
  • Jacques M; Department of Occupational Health and Safety, McGill University Health Center, Montréal, Canada.
  • Razek T; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montréal, Canada.
  • Rajda E; Department of Trauma Surgery, Montreal General Hospital, McGill University Health Center, Montréal, Canada.
  • Omelon S; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montréal, Canada.
  • Dankoff F; Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Canada.
  • Tohme R; Department of Mining and Materials Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.
  • Lefebvre P; Department of Emergency Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montréal, Canada.
  • Deckelbaum DL; Department of Infrastructure and Biomedical Engineering, McGill University Health Center, Montréal, Canada.
Disaster Med Public Health Prep ; : 1-16, 2021 Apr 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2284235
ABSTRACT

Objective:

Bottlenecks in the personal protective equipment (PPE) supply chain have contributed to shortages of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in fractures in the functionality of healthcare systems. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of retrofitted commercial snorkel masks as an alternative respirator for healthcare workers during infectious disease outbreaks.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed, analyzing qualitative and quantitative fit test results of the retrofitted Aria Ocean Reef® full-face snorkeling mask on healthcare workers at the McGill University Health Centre between April-June 2020. Historical fit test results, using medical-grade respirators, for healthcare workers were also analyzed.

Results:

During the study period, 71 participants volunteered for fit testing, 60.6% of which were nurses. The overall fit test passing rate using the snorkel mask was 83.1%. Of the participants who did not previously pass fit testing with medical-grade respirators, 80% achieved a passing fit test with the snorkel respirator.

Conclusions:

The results suggest that this novel respirator may be an effective and feasible alternative solution to address PPE shortages, while still providing healthcare workers with ample protection. Additional robust testing will be required to ensure that respirator fit is maintained, after numerous rounds of disinfection.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Observational study / Qualitative research Language: English Journal: Disaster Med Public Health Prep Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Dmp.2021.133

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Observational study / Qualitative research Language: English Journal: Disaster Med Public Health Prep Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Dmp.2021.133