The effect of wearing an FFP3 mask (3M$\text()^{TM}$ Aura$\text()^{TM}$) with an exhalation valve on gas exchange in medical staff

• Authors: Raffaella Fantin

Abstracts

EN

ObjectivesThe physiological impact of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), in particular filtering-face-piece 3 (FFP3) masks, has increasingly been gaining importance since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). So far, gas exchange has been examined using transcutaneously measured partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), ergo-spirometry and impedance cardiography.Material and MethodsIn this structured investigation, arterial blood gas analysis in a 30-year-old female resident was carried out during a 13-hour day shift on the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital of Innsbruck, Austria. An FFP3 mask (3MTM AuraTM) with an exhalation valve was continuously worn, except for 1 break of 20 min. Arterial blood samples were obtained before putting on the PPE, and after 5 h, 9 h and 13 h of working in the contaminated area.ResultsDuring the multi-hour wearing time, an increase in PaCO2 (the baseline value: 29.3 mm Hg, the max. value: 38.9 mm Hg) and a continuous decrease in partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2, the baseline value: 102 mm Hg, the min. value: 80.8 mm Hg) was detectable.ConclusionsAll measured values were within the normal range, but a trend towards an insufficient gas exchange could be suspected.

Keywords

EN

personal protective equipment; health personnel; gas exchange; respiratory protective devices; COVID-19; masks

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Year: 2021
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 817-819

Dates

published

2021

Contributors

author

Raffaella Fantin

• University Hospital of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria (Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine)

Identifiers

DOI

10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01809

Biblioteka Nauki

2093861