Filtration performance of three models of N95 filtering facepiece respirators following clinical usage and vaporized hydrogen peroxide decontamination

Background: N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) are essential personal protective equipment (PPE) for protecting healthcare workers from airborne pathogens.Aim: To perform the first large-scale evaluation of particulate filtration efficiency (PFE) of three models of N95 FFRs following clinical usage and vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) decontamination.Methods: Three variables were assessed for effect on PFE following VHP decontamination: VHP sterilizer model, N95 respirator model, and prior N95 clinical usage.Findings: The VHP sterilizer model and N95 FFR model impacted PFE performance. Worn N95 FFRs had a 91% lower odds of exhibiting & GE;95% PFE compared with the control.Conclusion: This work highlights the importance of validating any N95 FFR decontami-nation programme in its entirety, including prior clinical usage.& COPY; 2022 The Healthcare Infection Society.Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the particulate filtration efficiency (PFE) of three models of N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) following clinical usage and vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) decontamination. The results showed that the VHP sterilizer and FFR model had an impact on PFE performance.