External nasal dilator decreases N95 respirator-related respiratory effort and symptoms in gastrointestinal endoscopy unit staff.

ABSTRACT: Background and study aims  N95-filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) use is associated with physiological changes and symptoms due to impaired nasal airflow and increased breathing resistance. We prospectively studied the effect of using an external nasal dilator (END) in gastroenterology laboratory (gastrointestinal lab) staff using N95FFR. Patients and methods  N95FFR qualitative saccharine fit testing was performed on study participants with and without an END. Prospective data collection and comparisons included: 1) survey of perceived symptoms and difficulty of performing one day of gastrointestinal procedures with N95FFR and 1 day of gastrointestinal procedures with END plus N95FFR in random sequence; and 2) vitals and respiratory belt plethysmography in ten gastroenter

SUBMITTER: Khalid A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9473846 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature