Can an N95 FFR be made of a more breathable material to help keep the wearer cooler and more comfortable? Is there a design that can create an airtight seal without applying pressure to the face? Can respirators be made without the metal nose clip so that patients and providers can wear them for MRI procedures? The answer is yes on all counts. This summer, a different type of N95 respirator, approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), is expected to ship to the healthcare industry. This half-mask FFR, made of a breathable barrier material, adheres directly to the face with a skin-friendly adhesive.
This is just one example of how a different approach to PPE design can potentially make a big difference for the user experience. If the industry can keep focusing resources on the PPE issue, there could be other innovations — new types of gloves, gowns, coveralls, face shields and masks. Advances may offer incremental improvements or represent full reinvention. Any improvement on the status quo is progress.
Healthcare institutions that prioritize provider comfort and user experience in their PPE procurement are likely to have greater satisfaction among their clinical and essential team members. Moreover, when providers are not distracted by their own discomfort, they are better able to provide high quality patient-centered care.
PPE supply chain stability
Having PPE that is comfortable, of course, is a secondary consideration when there are concerns about having any PPE at all. The U.S. healthcare industry’s PPE shortages have been well publicized, but we may not yet know its full impact on healthcare workers. Some have paid with their lives. Others suffer from stress, which can cause a cascade of mental and physical health problems. It also can impact their ability to function at their best and be satisfied with their work environment.
The journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity has published results of a study of Iranian healthcare workers’ health and job satisfaction at the peak of Iran’s COVID-19 outbreak. “Our research uncovered unique risk factors. … PPE access predicted better physical health and job satisfaction and less distress, demonstrating its importance beyond physical protection,” the authors said.
