Haas Emily J, Edirisooriya Mihili, Fernando Rohan, McClain Caitlin, Sietsema Margaret, Hornbeck Adam, Thurman Paul, Angelilli Sara, Waltenbaugh Hope, Chalikonda Sricharan, Hines Stella E
National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh, PA.
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, U.S. Department of Energy, Pittsburgh, PA.
Am J Infect Control. 2025 Jan;53(1):144-149. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2024.08.019. Epub 2024 Aug 25.
New elastomeric half-mask respirator (EHMR) models without exhalation valves (EVs) or with exhalation valve filters (EVFs) are facilitating expanded use in health settings to reduce workers' exposure to airborne hazards while acting as source control to prevent pathogen spread. The physical comfort of new models has not been assessed in comparison to previously used EHMRs with EVs.
Researchers assessed 1,962 health care and emergency medical service personnels' self-reported adverse experiences from 2 cohorts while wearing EHMR models with EVs (cohort 1, n = 1,080) and without EVs or with EVFs (cohort 2, n = 882). Fisher exact test identified differences between the cohorts accounting for organizational factors when possible.
Cohort 1 respondents experienced communication challenges and discomfort when wearing the EHMR > 1 hour statistically significantly more often than cohort 2. Cohort 2 respondents reported statistically significantly more instances of difficulty breathing, moisture buildup, being uncomfortable to wear < 1 hour, and being uncomfortably warm.
Discomfort is prevalent among end users and more often among those wearing EHMRs without an EV/with an EVF. As EHMR research and development advances, prevalence in use may increase for emergency and routine situations. Organizations may not only need guidance about respirator selection but also model-specific selection.
新型无呼气阀（EV）或带有呼气阀过滤器（EVF）的弹性体半面罩呼吸器（EHMR）型号，正促使其在医疗卫生环境中的使用范围扩大，以减少工作人员接触空气传播危害，同时作为源头控制措施来防止病原体传播。与先前使用的带EV的EHMR相比，新型号的身体舒适度尚未得到评估。
研究人员评估了1962名医护人员和紧急医疗服务人员在佩戴带EV的EHMR型号（队列1，n = 1080）以及无EV或带EVF的EHMR型号（队列2，n = 882）时，来自两个队列的自我报告的不良体验。Fisher精确检验尽可能确定了考虑组织因素时队列之间的差异。
队列1的受访者在佩戴EHMR超过1小时时，在统计学上比队列2更频繁地经历沟通挑战和不适。队列2的受访者报告在统计学上有更多呼吸困难、水分积聚、佩戴不足1小时感到不适以及感到过热的情况。
不适在终端用户中很普遍，在佩戴无EV/带EVF的EHMR的人群中更为常见。随着EHMR研发的推进，在紧急和常规情况下的使用普及率可能会增加。各组织不仅可能需要关于呼吸器选择的指导，还需要针对特定型号的选择指导。
