How do N95 respirators compare to medical masks for preventing viral respiratory infections in healthcare workers?
BEEM Bottom Line
Why is this study important?
With the rapid worldwide spread of COVID-19, appropriate use and conservation of personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly N95 respirators, has become a major concern. Unlike standard medical masks, N95 respirators are specifically designed to prevent inhalation of small airborne particles by their tight fit to optimize facial seal and the filtration test requirements. For these reasons, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) all recommend the N95 respirators for high-risk exposures such as aerosol-generating procedures including intubation and bronchoscopy. This review compares N95 respirators to medical masks for preventing viral respiratory infections in healthcare workers.
Which, if any, threats to validity are most likely to have an impact on the results and how?
Thank you for your interest in the BEEM Journal!
To read the rest of this article or to access the entire collection of BEEM Critical Appraisals, please purchase a subscription at the link below.
If you would like a pre-view, click here to view some sample articles
- Article Number
- 170501
- Research Question
- Is it safe to rule out acute pulmonary embolism with stand-alone D-dimer testing below 750 µg/L?
- Article Number
- 160404
- Research Question
- What are the latest recommendations for the management of venous thromboembolism?
- Article Number
- 160205
- Research Question
- How well does oblique angle chest X-ray identify occult pneumothorax in trauma patients?
- Article Number
- 160101
- Research Question
- Is continuous positive airway pressure by helmet effective in the treatment of infants with bronchiolitis?
Premium Content Available Through Subscription
BEEM is a knowledge translation project which aims to extract the most recent, EM relevant, and valid evidence from the volumes of available medical research and deliver it to EM practitioners in an easily consumable format to help guide their clinical practice. This valuable distilled information provided by BEEM is available through BEEM's accredited CME courses or through our online journal.
A BEEM Journal Subscription will provide you with unlimited access to our entire collection of Critical Appraisals for 1 year.