Effect of Face Masks on Blood Saturation, Heart Rate, and Well‐Being Indicators in Health Care Providers Working in Specialized COVID‐19 Center

Abstract

This study aims to investigate whether wearing face masks (filtering facepieces, FFP class 2) with personal protective equipment (FPP2/PPE), while working a 12‐hour shift in a COVID‐19 referral center, affects the blood saturation, heart rate (HR), and well‐being of health care providers (HCPs). The study included a group of 37 HCPs. To perform continuous recordings of the SpO2 and heart rate (HR) in real time, we used a Nellcor PM10N (Covidien, Mansfield, MA, USA) portable monitoring system. SpO2, HR, and HCP well‐being scales were measured during two 3‐hour shifts, while HCPs worked during a 12‐hour period. Additionally, each subject completed a questionnaire concerning their well‐being. The difference in the SpO2 level between the 1st and 2nd working shifts while wearing an FFP2/PPE was small, with a median decrease in SpO2 of –1%. The scales of the well‐being indicators increased within the shift. They were mainly fatigue and thirst with median scores of 2 out of 6 (range 0–4). We assume that during a 12‐hour period, a work scheme that consists of a 3‐hour shift in FFP2/PPE and a 3‐hour rest period (working without FPP2/PPE) is a reliable and safe solution for HCPs working in specialized COVID‐19 referral hospitals.