Laboratory assessment of bacterial contamination of a sterile environment when using respirators not traditionally used in a sterile field environment

• DOI: 10.1017/ice.2022.122
• Publication Date: 2022-06-15T03:54:45Z
• Authors: Warren Myers; Segun Ajewole; Susan Xu; Patrick Yorio; Adam Hornbeck; Ziqing Zhuang
• Keywords: Respirator; Exhalation; Economic shortage; Personal Protective Equipment

During infectious disease outbreaks or pandemics, an increased demand for surgical N95s that create shortages and necessitate the use of alternative National Institute Occupational Safety Health (NIOSH)-approved respirators do not meet Food Drug Administration (FDA) additional requirements. The objective this research was to quantify level bacterial contamination resulting from wearing NIOSH-approved lacking protections afforded by N95s.Participants performed simulated healthcare tasks while 5 different approved NIOSH. Sterile field a mask cleared FDA served as baseline comparison with respirators.The produced participants N95 filtering facepiece (FFRs) without exhalation valve, powered air-purifying (PAPRs) assigned protection factor 25 1,000 significantly compared mask. FFR valve elastomeric half-mask respirator (EHMR) found be statistically higher than mask.Overall, valves maintain sterile well These findings inform respiratory guidance on selection where fields are needed during FFRs.