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Background: New elastomeric half-mask respirator (EHMR) models without exhalation valves (EVs) or with exhalation valve filters (EVFs) are facilitating expanded use in health settings to reduce workers' exposure to airborne hazards while acting as source control to prevent pathogen spread. The physical comfort of new models has not been assessed in comparison to previously used EHMRs with EVs., Methods: Researchers assessed 1,962 health care and emergency medical service personnels' self-reported adverse experiences from 2 cohorts while wearing EHMR models with EVs (cohort 1, n = 1,080) and without EVs or with EVFs (cohort 2, n = 882). Fisher exact test identified differences between the cohorts accounting for organizational factors when possible., Results: Cohort 1 respondents experienced communication challenges and discomfort when wearing the EHMR > 1 hour statistically significantly more often than cohort 2. Cohort 2 respondents reported statistically significantly more instances of difficulty breathing, moisture buildup, being uncomfortable to wear < 1 hour, and being uncomfortably warm., Conclusions: Discomfort is prevalent among end users and more often among those wearing EHMRs without an EV/with an EVF. As EHMR research and development advances, prevalence in use may increase for emergency and routine situations. Organizations may not only need guidance about respirator selection but also model-specific selection., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: During public health emergencies, demand for N95 filtering facepiece respirators (N95 FFRs) can outpace supply. Elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMRs) are a potential alternative that are reusable and provide the same or higher levels of protection. This study sought to examine the practical aspects of EHMR use among health care personnel (HCP)., Methods: Between September and December 2021, 183 HCPs at 2 tertiary referral centers participated in this 3-month EHMR deployment, wearing the EHMR whenever respiratory protection was required according to hospital protocols (ie, when an N95 FFR would typically be worn) and responding to surveys about their experience., Results: Participants wore EHMRs typically 1 to 3 hours per shift, reported disinfecting the respirator after 85% of the removals, and reported high confidence in using the EHMR following the study. EHMRs caused minimal interference with patient care tasks, though they did inhibit communication., Discussion: HCP who had not previously worn an EHMR were able to wear it as an alternative to an N95 FFR without much-reported interference with their job tasks and with high disinfection compliance., Conclusions: This study highlights the feasibility of the deployment of EHMRs during a public health emergency when an alternative respirator option is necessary., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)