A close shave? Performance of P2/N95 respirators in healthcare workers with facial hair: results of the BEARDS (BEnchmarking Adequate Respiratory DefenceS) study

I Sandaradura; E Goeman; G Pontivivo; E Fine; H Gray; S Kerr; D Marriott; J Harkness; D Andresen

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.006

A close shave? Performance of P2/N95 respirators in healthcare workers with facial hair: results of the BEARDS (BEnchmarking Adequate Respiratory DefenceS) study

J Hosp Infect. 2020 Apr;104(4):529-533. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.006. Epub 2020 Jan 21.

Authors

I Sandaradura¹, E Goeman¹, G Pontivivo¹, E Fine¹, H Gray¹, S Kerr¹, D Marriott¹, J Harkness¹, D Andresen²

Affiliations

¹ St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
² St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: david.andresen@svha.org.au.

PMID: 31978416
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.006

Abstract

P2/N95 filtering face piece respirators (FFRs) protect healthcare workers (HCWs) from airborne infections. This study assessed the impact of facial hair on quantitative respirator fit in 105 male HCWs, of whom 38 were clean shaven, and assessed the prevalence of male facial hair at the study facility. Only 34 (32%) male HCWs overall achieved an adequate FFR fit, including 47% of clean-shaven men. No full-bearded HCWs achieved a fit. Adequate respirator fit decreased significantly with increasing facial hair (P<0.01 for trend). Facial hair was present on 49% of male employees. This study supports quantitative fit testing prior to P2/N95 respirator use.

Keywords: Airborne infection; Facial hair; Filtering face piece respirator; Fit testing; P2/N95 respirator.

Publication types

Comparative Study

MeSH terms

Adult
Benchmarking
Equipment Design
Face*
Female
Hair*
Health Personnel
Humans
Male
N95 Respirators / standards
New South Wales
Occupational Exposure / prevention & control
Respiratory Protective Devices / standards*