The current outbreak of Covid-19 requires the wearing of FFP2 respiratory protective devices by healthcare personnel to limit their contamination. However, there is currently a shortage of masks in France due to insufficient national stocks while the disease is spreading. There is an urgent need to save FFP2 masks to enable healthcare personnel to continue to provide care in complete safety. Contamination of staff due to insufficient masks would have consequences by limiting access to care for infected patients and putting caregivers at potential risk of death. Caregiver protection is also intended to contain the risk of nosocomial epidemics. We propose the use of ARFC masks by Covid-19+ units. These ARFC masks provide optimal security against the risk of aerosolization of contaminated biological liquids. They are masks modified to be usable by civilians, resulting from the technology of combat masks, specially designed for use in NRBC (Nuclear, Radiological, Biological and Chemical) atmosphere.
Device: ARFC mask
Nurse will wear the ARFC mask during working days. The total duration of the study will be 48 hours for each participant, 2 consecutive working days of 8 or 12 hours.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Nursing staff working 8 or 12 hours a day for 2 consecutive days in a COVID unit at
the hospital of Saint Etienne.
- Subjects affiliated to or entitled to a social security scheme
- Subject who received informed information about the study and agreed to participate in
the study
Exclusion Criteria:
- Allergy to ARCF mask material: polyurethane
- Impossibility of supporting a tight mask on the face
- Potential contraindication to wearing a mask, such as the existence of claustrophobia
- Beard and moustache wearer
- Suspicion of COVID-19 infection
- Refusal to participate.
CHU Saint-Etienne
Saint-Étienne, France
Jean-Luc PERROT, MD PhD, Principal Investigator
CHU SAINT-ETIENNE