N-95 respirator: gain in protection, pain in the face?

N-95 respirator: gain in protection, pain in the face?:

In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the availability of well-fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to protect healthcare workers (HCWs) from the risks of contracting droplets and/or airborne infections from patients under their care. However, prolonged use of PPE, in particular, the N-95 respirator, can lead to the development of device-related pressure ulcers (DRPU) over the face, adding to the numerous physical and psychological stressors faced by HCWs. The incidence of DRPU in HCWs is high, as evidenced by the results of a survey conducted on 526 frontline HCWs, where 83.1% and 78.7% of respondents reported skin damage over the nasal bridge and cheek, respectively, with longer time spent wearing PPE a significant risk factor for skin damage.1

In our institution, HCWs working in critical care areas who applied protective dressings on their faces while using N-95 respirators they had originally been fitted with were offered...