Comparison of N95 Respiratory Mask Fit Testing

• Published in: Korean Journal of Healthcare-Associated Infection Control and Prevention Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 108 - 114
• Main Authors: Han, Si-Hyeon, Cha, Kyeong-Sook, Yoo, So-Yeon, Han, Jin Ok
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 대한의료관련감염관리학회 31.12.2021
• Subjects: 의학일반
• ISSN: 2671-9886; 2508-5999; 2508-5999; 2671-9886
• DOI: 10.14192/kjicp.2021.26.2.108

Background: In this study, we measured the adherence of the representative N95 respiratory mask products on the current market in Korea, compared, and used the results as reference for selecting masks. Methods: This study was conducted on nurses frequently dealing with patients suspected or diagnosed with airborne diseases at a university hospital in Korea. The fit levels of the three types of masks were measured. A total of 183 people, 48 in product A, 92 in product B, and 43 in product C, participated in the study. The coefficient of adherence to the N95 masks was measured using a quantitative adherence tester (TSI Portcount Pro+8038). Results: Regarding the pass rate of the fit testing, product B showed the highest pass rate in 46 cases (50.0%), followed by 16 cases in product A (33.3%), and one case in product C (2.3%), indicating a significant difference among the products. The overall fit factor of the product was in the order of product B (104.64), product A (82.95), and product C (17.64), which showed that only the overall fit factor of product B was passable. Conclusion: Owing to the difference in fit depending on the type of mask, medical institutions should offer various products; thus, medical service providers can choose an appropriate mask, and regular N95 mask fit testing needs to be mandatory. KCI Citation Count: 3