Testing of Safety and Ease of Use of an Adjusted Full Face Snorkel Mask as Protective Measure for Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic – MASK Study

Abstract

Introduction: During the Covid-19 pandemic healthcare workers are at risk of getting infected or to become ‘super spreaders’. In times of equipment shortage, many have been looking at alternative, reusable equipment to serve in a medical setting, often after some adaptations. Full face snorkel masks have been used for positive pressure ventilation and more recently as a protective device. The advantage of using these adapted masks as a protective measure is the reusable combination of a face shield and a protective mask. This interventional study was carried out to ensure its safety while performing normal healthcare tasks.

Materials and Methods: 40 health care workers were voluntarily recruited to wear an adapted full face diving mask during 2 hours of normal work. A questionnaire evaluated general demographics. Clinical parameters and arterial blood gas analysis were performed prior to initiating the study and after 15 and 120 minutes. A questionnaire evaluated the comfort and usability of the masks at 15 and 120 minutes.

Results: There were no significant changes in parameters of blood gasses after 15 and 120 minutes. Other statistically different parameters were not of clinical relevance. The masks were well tolerated although a small but a statistical disadvantage was noted as time progressed. At 120 minutes 17% of participants had a score of more than 5/10 on RPE (Ratings of Perceived Exertion) reflecting a disadvantage. The main disadvantages were ‘difficulties to communicate’, ‘sweating’ and ‘visual difficulties’ including ‘limited view on the bottom’ and ‘not being able to wear their glasses’.

Conclusions: The full face diving masks are safe to use during normal work activities at the hospital during a time period of 2 hours. They are well tolerated but its perceived comfort is negatively correlated to time. We plan to perform a prospective trial assessing the comfort of standard protective equipment compared to the masks. As fit tests are looking promising, the implementation of the mask as a protective device against viral particles could be near. The reusable masks might be a safe and less expensive protective solution for healthcare workers.

Funding Statement: None to declare

Declaration of Interests: All authors certify that they have no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted manuscript.

Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by the ethics committee of AZ Sint-Jan Brugge, reference number 2645. For this type of study formal informed consent was obtained from each included patient.