Use of Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirator in the Clinical Care Environment: Health Care Worker Perceptions.
Ruth A Bryant, Justin M Smith, Ned K Tervola and 5 others
PMID 37256675WHAT IT FOUND
Workers wearing reusable half-mask respirators for 6+ hours felt safe but struggled to communicate and found them uncomfortable.
Most reported facial skin changes. Staff frequently loosened straps to relieve pressure, which compromises the seal and increases infection risk.
Key findings
01Most respondents disagreed that the respirator was comfortable for the entire shift or allowed effective communication with patients and staff.
02Redness lasting more than 4 hours and severe painful skin changes were common, with the bridge of the nose being the most frequent site.
03Nearly half of respondents managed skin discomfort by loosening the respirator straps, a practice that breaks the seal and jeopardizes respiratory protection.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study used a convenience sample with a low response rate (17.87%), which may bias results toward those with strong opinions. Skin damage and discomfort were self-reported, not objectively measured by a clinician. The exact duration of wear was not recorded, only that it was at least 6 hours, so dose-response relationships cannot be established. Results are specific to one model of EHMR from one health system and may not generalize to other devices or settings.
Declared interests
The study was conducted by a large not-for-profit health care system. No specific commercial funding or conflicts of interest are detailed in the provided text, but the institution developed the proposal to support the purchase of the EHMR.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the high satisfaction with safety and protection as evidence that the device is comfortable or practical for all-day use. The data shows significant communication barriers and skin injury, and the common workaround of loosening straps renders the respirator ineffective.