Korean J healthc assoc Infect Control Prev.  2021 Dec;26(2):108-114. 10.14192/kjicp.2021.26.2.108.

Comparison of N95 Respiratory Mask Fit Testing

• Han SH
• Cha KS
• Yoo SY
• Han JO

• KMID: 2523609
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14192/kjicp.2021.26.2.108

Abstract

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.

Keyword

Communicable disease; Masks; Respiratory; Transmission

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