Effect of Wearing N95 Mask on the Quality of Chest Compressions in Prehospital Emergency Personnel: A Cross-over Study

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the effect of wearing an N95 mask on the quality of chest compression and fatigue of prehospital emergency personnel during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Methods

Twenty-four eligible participants were recruited. Participants' age, sex, height, and weight were recorded. After completing the CPR training and examination, participants were tested twice, wearing surgical mask or an N95 mask, while performing chest compressions for 2 minutes. The quality of chest compression (including compression frequency, depth, rebound, and position) was recorded by the simulator. Borg fatigue scores and physiological parameters (including heart rate, mean arterial pressure, pulse oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate) were recorded before and after chest compressions.

Results

Compared to wearing surgical masks, participants wearing N95 masks had significantly lower quality of chest compression, including compression frequency (98.3 ± 4.9 bpm vs 104.0 ± 6.0 bpm, P < 0.001), depth (47.1 ± 4.5 mm vs 50.5 ± 5.4 mm, P < 0.001), and rebound (90.2 ± 2.7% vs 94.3 ± 2.1%, P < 0.001). The compression position was not affected. The period data showed that the difference in compression quality started after 1 minute of compressions. Participants wearing N95 masks had higher Borg fatigue scores [6.1(2) vs 5.1(2), P < 0.001], heart rates (121.2 ± 5.7 bpm vs 109.9 ± 6.0 bpm, P < 0.001), mean arterial pressures (106.3 ± 8.0 mmHg vs 99.0 ± 8.5 mmHg, P = 0.012), and respiratory rates (29.5 ± 2.7 bpm vs 24.7 ± 2.5 bpm, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study showed that the use of an N95 mask by prehospital emergency personnel during the performance of chest compressions resulted in a reduction of compression quality and increased clinician fatigue. There is a need for CPR training for medical personnel wearing personal protective equipment.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data Statement

Data share DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.20072309. The de-identified data are available on reasonable request to the corresponding author.