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Table 3 Considerations regarding the use of Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs). Adapted from Wax and Christian 2020

From: Guidance for otolaryngology health care workers performing aerosol generating medical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic

Potential advantages of PAPR

Potential disadvantages of PAPR

Higher protection factors and less breakthrough events (APF ≥ 25), compared to N95 respirators

Higher costs and limited availability

Do not require fit testing and can be used by HCWs who cannot be successfully fit tested with N95/N99 respirators or with facial hair

More difficult and time-consuming to don and doff, with a potential increased risk of self-contamination while doffing

Reusable, and can reduce the burden on respirator availability

Communication difficulties due to tight seal and ventilator noise

More comfortable for prolonged use

Requires complex decontamination procedures for reuse

Full facial and head cover (depending on model)

Depending on model, requires supply of disposable components, e.g. filters, hoses

 

Can be difficult to use in combination with operating microscopes