Real-Time Fit of a Respirator During Simulated Health Care Tasks

Details

• Personal Author:
  Brosseau L ; Colton C ; Hauge J ; Roe M
• Description:
  Objective: Fit is an important but difficult-to-predict feature of respirator performance. This study examined a new approach to measuring respirator performance using two continuous direct reading particle-counting instruments in a simulated healthcare workplace. Methods: A pilot test was conducted with eight experienced healthcare professionals, who passed a traditional quantitative fit test before performing three randomized 10-min healthcare scenarios (patient assessment (PA), IV treatment (IV), wound care (WC)). Two TSI Portacount Plus (Model 8020) with N95 Companion (Model 8095) instruments were used to continuously measure 1-sec ambient particle concentrations inside and outside the respirator facepiece. A simulated workplace fit factor (SWFF) was calculated by dividing outside by inside concentrations. Data were log transformed and examined using analysis of variance (ANOVA) between subjects, scenario types and scenario order. The GM SWFF for the eight subjects, three scenarios per subject, ranged from 172 to 1073 (GSD 1.7 to 3.5) and was significantly different for each subject. Results: A multi-way ANOVA showed no difference among the three scenario types (PA, IV, WC). There were differences by the order in which scenarios were performed; the third scenario SWFF was significantly different and higher than that of the first and second scenarios. All subjects passed the initial quantitative fit test with a fit factor of at least 100. Five subjects had fit factors greater than 200 and GM scenario SWFFs greater than 400. Three participants with initial fit factors less than 200 had GM scenario SWFFs ranging from 132 to 326. Conclusions: This pilot test demonstrates that it is possible to evaluate instantaneous respirator fit using two quantitative fit test instruments in a simulated healthcare environment. Results suggest that an initial fit test may be predictive of fit during simulated tasks and that one scenario may be adequate for measuring a simulated workplace fit factor. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Health Personnel Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Respiratory Protective Devices Safety
• Keywords:
  Fit Testing Health Care Workers Personal Protective Equipment PPE Respirators Respirator Testing Respiratory Protective Equipment
• Publisher:
  American Industrial Hygiene Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Illinois ; Minnesota ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20062513
• Citation:
  AIHce 2013: American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 18-23, 2013, Montreal, Quebec. Falls Church, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2013 May; :104
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2013
• Performing Organization:
  University of Illinois at Chicago
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  AIHce 2013: American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 18-23, 2013, Montreal, Quebec
• End Date:
  20290630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:45e9e8af5a9c0a1a7b50ab976799d898b467e236715e00201ec8bcd4bcdc12dd80e6218530cf3ecc3e25ceab2b3124173026ab12e227ca3d3ed61a95368e0e97
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225748/cdc_225748_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 959.02 KB ]