College
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Keywords
Quantitative fit testing, Singh Thattha beard covering technique, N95 respirator, Occupational airborne hazards, Portacount, Fit Factor, COVID-19, Personal Protective Equipment
Date of Presentation
5-2-2024 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Singh Thattha beard covering technique when quantitatively fit testing tight-fitting filtering face masks (N95 respirators) on male members of the Sikh religious group. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sikh healthcare workers faced the difficult decision of either shaving their unshorn beards to continue their profession or finding alternative solutions to maintain adequate respiratory protection. The study used a quantitative fit test method to measure the number of particles inside and outside the mask, calculating a fit factor. Participants performed exercises while wearing an N95 respirator and then repeated the exercises with a Singh Thattha Beard Cover, which consisted of FEI CanDo exercise bands. The overall fit factor was calculated, and an N95 filtering facepiece respirator must achieve a minimum of 100 to be deemed acceptable for use. The results showed an improvement in fit factor in 96% of bearded men, however the improvement was not always enough to achieve the minimum 100 fit factor. The study concluded that using bands to create a proper seal between the N95 mask has proven successful, but further research may be warranted to explore ways to achieve higher or passing fit factors.
Disciplines
Equipment and Supplies | Health and Medical Administration | Medicine and Health Sciences
DOI
10.31986/issn.2689-0690_rdw.stratford_research_day.200_2024
Singh Thattha Beard Covering Technique and Quantitative Fit Testing of a Tight-Fitting Filtering Facepiece (FFP3)
The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Singh Thattha beard covering technique when quantitatively fit testing tight-fitting filtering face masks (N95 respirators) on male members of the Sikh religious group. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sikh healthcare workers faced the difficult decision of either shaving their unshorn beards to continue their profession or finding alternative solutions to maintain adequate respiratory protection. The study used a quantitative fit test method to measure the number of particles inside and outside the mask, calculating a fit factor. Participants performed exercises while wearing an N95 respirator and then repeated the exercises with a Singh Thattha Beard Cover, which consisted of FEI CanDo exercise bands. The overall fit factor was calculated, and an N95 filtering facepiece respirator must achieve a minimum of 100 to be deemed acceptable for use. The results showed an improvement in fit factor in 96% of bearded men, however the improvement was not always enough to achieve the minimum 100 fit factor. The study concluded that using bands to create a proper seal between the N95 mask has proven successful, but further research may be warranted to explore ways to achieve higher or passing fit factors.
