The “double eights mask brace” improves the fit and protection of a basic surgical mask amidst COVID‐19 pandemic

Daniel P Runde; Karisa K Harland; Paul Van Heukelom; Brett Faine; Patrick O'Shaughnessy; Nicholas M Mohr

doi:10.1002/emp2.12335

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The “double eights mask brace” improves the fit and protection of a basic surgical mask amidst COVID‐19 pandemic

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

The “double eights mask brace” improves the fit and protection of a basic surgical mask amidst COVID‐19 pandemic

Daniel P Runde, Karisa K Harland, Paul Van Heukelom, Brett Faine, Patrick O'Shaughnessy and Nicholas M Mohr

Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open, Vol.2(1), pp.e12335-n/a

02/2021

DOI: 10.1002/emp2.12335

PMCID: PMC7819270

PMID: 33521786

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Abstract

Study objective The COVID‐19 pandemic has resulted in widespread shortages of personal protective equipment, including N95 respirators. Although basic surgical facemasks are more commonly available, their efficacy is limited due primarily to their poor face seal. This pilot study examined the impact of a rubber band mask brace on a basic surgical mask, as determined by quantitative fit testing. Methods Subjects wearing a basic surgical facemask and the rubber band mask brace underwent quantitative fit testing using machinery designed to certify N95 mask fit. Subjects were tested with the brace anchored behind their ears, with a paperclip behind the head, and on the side knobs of their face shields. The primary outcome measure was whether the subject passed the quantitative fit test at or above the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)‐verified standard for N95 masks. Results Subjects (n = 11) were 54.5% female, with a median height of 70 inches (interquartile range [IQR] = 68–74), weight of 170 pounds (IQR = 145–215), and body mass index (BMI) of 24.6 (IQR = 22.2–27.2), and encompassing 5 distinct N95 mask fit types. We found that 45%, 100%, and 100% of subjects passed the quantitative fit test when the brace was anchored behind the ears, with a paperclip and on a face shield, respectively. Conclusion Of the 11 subjects included in the analysis, across a range of body habitus and N95 mask fit types, all passed the quantitative fit test when the mask brace was anchored on either face shield or with a paperclip. This data suggests that although the brace does not create an N95 equivalent in terms of filtration, it would offer improved protection from airborne viruses when worn with a basic surgical mask.

COVID‐19

infectious disease transmission

masks

patient‐to‐professional

SARS‐CoV‐2

Details

Title: Subtitle: The “double eights mask brace” improves the fit and protection of a basic surgical mask amidst COVID‐19 pandemic
Creators: Daniel P Runde - University of Iowa College of Medicine
Karisa K Harland - University of Iowa College of Public Health
Paul Van Heukelom - University of Iowa College of Medicine
Brett Faine - College of Pharmacy
Patrick O'Shaughnessy - University of Iowa College of Public Health
Nicholas M Mohr - University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open, Vol.2(1), pp.e12335-n/a
DOI: 10.1002/emp2.12335
PMID: 33521786
PMCID: PMC7819270
NLM abbreviation: J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open
ISSN: 2688-1152
eISSN: 2688-1152
Number of pages: 6
Language: English
Date published: 02/2021
Academic Unit: Civil and Environmental Engineering; Occupational and Environmental Health; Epidemiology; Emergency Medicine; Pharmacy Practice and Science; Anesthesia; Injury Prevention Research Center; Law Faculty
Record Identifier: 9984214723802771

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