Tolerability, user acceptance and preference for a novel reusable respirator among health care workers - 20/06/23
Highlights |
• | CleanSpace Halo powered respirators have clear facemasks without belts or hoses. |
• | Health care workers gave favorable tolerability scores to Halo respirators. |
• | Many Halo users preferred this respirator during routine and COVID-19 patient care. |
• | Health care workers’ favorable perceptions of Halo respirators persisted over time. |
Résumé |
Background |
The CleanSpace Technology Halo respirator combines a clear face mask and a powered air supply, without belts or hoses. Although providing higher protection than other respirators used in health care, user acceptance of this device has not been assessed with validated tools.
Methods |
We surveyed healthcare workers (HCWs) within a US medical system using Halo respirators in 2021. Subjects completed 3 surveys over 8 weeks, which included the Respirator Comfort, Wearing Experience, and Function Instrument (R-COMFI), a validated tool to assess respirator tolerability. The survey included additional questions about user acceptability and respirator preference. Responses were evaluated for change over time and for significant predictors.
Results |
Of 113 HCWs who completed the initial survey (29% response rate), mean ± SD R-COMFI score was 9.1± 5.1, (scale 0-47, lower = more tolerable) and did not change over time (P = .42). Fewer years in healthcare significantly predicted better R-COMFI score (P = .01). Many users preferred Halo in both usual care (45%-52%) and care of patients with COVID-19 (60%-64%).
Discussion |
Halo respirators received favorable tolerability scores by HCWs, who often preferred them, especially during care of patients with COVID-19.
Conclusions |
Given demand for respirator use in health care, the innovative design provides higher protection than other respirators with a favorable user experience.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key Words : PAPR, Respiratory protection, Health care, COVID-19, User acceptance, Elastomeric
Plan
| Conflicts of Interest: S.E.H. reports that a family member is currently employed by CleanSpace Technology, the sponsor of this study, as a trainer in tasks not related to the research study. None of the other authors report any potential conflicts of interest. |
Vol 51 - N° 7
P. 821-826 - juillet 2023 Retour au numéro
Article précédent
- Assessing patterns of body contamination after personal protective equipment removal among health care workers: A scoping review
- Olosengbuan Obuhoro, Rachael M. Jones
- Antiseptic barrier caps to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Veerle E.L.M. Gillis, Marijn J. van Es, Yannick Wouters, Geert J.A. Wanten
Bienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
L’accès au texte intégral de cet article nécessite un abonnement.
Déjà abonné à cette revue ?