A novel approach to fit testing the N 95 respirator in real time in a clinical setting

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.