Back to Search
Start Over
Fit-testing of respiratory protective equipment in the UK during the initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Source :
-
The Journal of hospital infection [J Hosp Infect] 2021 Jul; Vol. 113, pp. 180-186. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 May 01. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Background: Public Health England guidance stipulates the use of filtering facepiece (FFP3) masks for healthcare workers engaged in aerosol-generating procedures. Mask fit-testing of respiratory protective equipment is essential to protect healthcare workers from aerosolized particles.<br />Aim: To analyse the outcome of mask fit-testing across National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in the UK during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.<br />Methods: Using the Freedom of Information Act, 137 NHS hospitals were approached on May 26 <superscript>th</superscript> , 2020 by an independent researcher to provide data on the outcome of fit-testing at each site.<br />Findings: Ninety-six hospitals responded to the request between May 26 <superscript>th</superscript> , 2020 to October 29 <superscript>th</superscript> , 2020. There was a total of 86 mask types used across 56 hospitals, 13 of which were used in at least 10% of these hospitals; the most frequently used was the FFP3M1863, used by 92.86% of hospitals. Overall fit-testing pass rates were provided by 32 hospitals with mean pass rate of 80.74%. The most successful masks, in terms of fit-test failure rates, were the Alpha Solway 3030V and the Alpha Solway S-3V (both reporting mean fit-test failures of 2%). Male- and female-specific pass and failure rates were provided by seven hospitals. Across the seven hospitals, 20.1% of men tested failed the fit-test for all masks used, whereas 19.9% of women tested failed the fit-test for all masks used. Failure rates were significantly higher in staff from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds 644/2507 (25.69%) across four hospitals.<br />Conclusion: Twenty percent of healthcare workers tested during the first response to the pandemic failed fit-testing for masks. A small sample revealed that this was most prominent in staff from BAME backgrounds.<br /> (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1532-2939
- Volume :
- 113
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The Journal of hospital infection
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33940089
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2021.04.024