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A novel approach to fit testing the N 95 respirator in real time in a clinical setting
Author(s) -
Or Peggy,
Chung Joanne,
Wong Thomas
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of nursing practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.62
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1440-172X
pISSN - 1322-7114
DOI - 10.1111/ijn.12354
Subject(s) - respirator , test (biology) , personal protective equipment , computer science , medicine , covid-19 , simulation , nursing , materials science , paleontology , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , composite material , biology
The instant measurements provided by the Portacount fit‐test instrument have been used as the gold standard in predicting the protection of an N 95 respirator in a laboratory environment. The conventional Portacount fit‐test method, however, cannot deliver real‐time measurements of face‐seal leakage when the N 95 respirator is in use in clinical settings. This research was divided into two stages. Stage 1 involved developing and validating a new quantitative fit‐test method called the P ersonal R espiratory S ampling T est ( PRST ). In S tage 2, PRST was evaluated in use during nursing activities in clinical settings. Eighty‐four participants were divided randomly into four groups and were tested while performing bedside nursing procedures. In S tage 1, a new PRST method was successfully devised and validated. Results of S tage 2 showed that the new PRST method could detect different concentrations and different particle sizes inside the respirator while the wearer performed different nursing activities. This new fit‐test method, PRST , can detect face seal leakage of an N 95 respirator being worn while the wearer performs clinical activities. Thus, PRST can help ensure that the N 95 respirator actually fulfils its function of protecting health‐care workers from airborne pathogens.