Pass rates of four P2/N95 respirators or filtering facepiece respirators in Australian healthcare providers: A prospective observational study

P2/N95 respirators or filtering facepiece respirators may not have the same pass rate on quantitative fit testing. The aim of this study was to investigate the pass rate of four commonly used filtering facepiece respirators in Australian healthcare providers. The secondary objectives included assessing the ease of donning, doffing and comfort of wearing these four filtering facepiece respirators for more than 30 minutes. A multivariable analysis was also conducted to assess if certain variables (e.g. age, sex, body mass index, ethnicity, facial width and length) were associated with passing or failing fit testing. We conducted a prospective observational study of 150 hospital staff who presented for fit testing in a metropolitan hospital in Victoria, Australia. The order of the four filtering facepiece respirators being tested was randomised. A Cochran's Q test was used to test the global null hypothesis that all four filtering facepiece respirators being tested have the same pass rate. A difference in pass rate was found between the four filtering facepiece respirators that were tested (P < 0.001). The 3M & TRADE; Aura 1870+ (3M Australia Pty Ltd, North Ryde, NSW) had the highest pass rate (83%) followed by the 3M & TRADE; 1860 (3M Australia Pty Ltd, North Ryde, NSW) (61%), BSN ProShield & TRADE; N95 (BSN Medical, Mulgrave, Victoria) (55%) and the BYD DE2322 N95 (BYD Care, Los Angeles, CA, USA) (44%). There was also a difference in the ease of donning, doffing and comfort. Therefore, healthcare facilities that perform fit testing should take these factors into consideration when designing an effective respiratory protection programme.

Automated summary

The study aimed to investigate the pass rate and comfort of wearing four commonly used filtering facepiece respirators in Australian healthcare providers. The results showed differences in pass rate and ease of donning, doffing, and comfort among the respirators. Therefore, it is important for healthcare facilities to consider these factors when designing a respiratory protection program.