How Many Times Should Clinicians Consecutively Don N95 Respirators ?

Researchers sought to find how many times clinicians can consecutively don face N95 filtering facepiece respirators without compromising the fit of those protective equipment, according to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control.

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For the study, researchers tested the TSI PORTACOUNT Plus and its N95 Companion accessory after qualifying to Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards for personal protective equipment. Test subjects used the face mask up to 20 times, and researchers documented and compared the fit factors after each wear.

 

Results showed fit factor of more than 100 was 81 percent to 93 percent for the group who donned one to five times. The fit factor dropped to 53 percent to 75 percent after donning more than 16 times. The researchers concluded clinicians may don N95 filtering facepiece respirators up to five consecutive times before the fit factors consistently drops below 100.

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