N95^® filtering facepiece respirator contamination with SARS-CoV-2 following reuse and extended use.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided strategies, such as extended use and reuse, to preserve N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFR). We aimed to assess the prevalence of N95 FFR contamination with SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare personnel (HCP) in the Emergency Department (ED).

Design

Real-world, prospective, multicenter cohort study. N95 FFR contamination (primary outcome) was measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with contamination.

Setting

Six academic medical centers.

Participants

ED HCP who practiced N95 FFR reuse and extended use during the COVID-19 pandemic between April 2021 and July 2022.

SUBMITTER: Ford JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12483621 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature