Comparing Effects of Surgical Masks and N95 Masks on Physical Symptoms from Surgical Smoke in Operating Room Nurses

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of using surgical masks compared to N95 masks on physical symptoms caused by surgical smoke in operating room nurses. The study focuses on understanding how different types of masks impact symptoms such as muscle weakness, respiratory issues, and eye irritation related to exposure to surgical smoke during surgeries. This interventional study involves nurses working in a hospital operating theatre setting. The study includes two groups where operating room nurses wear either a standard surgical mask or an N95 respirator during surgical procedures with exposure to surgical smoke. The nurses use each type of mask continuously for at least four hours per day over a four-week period. Physical symptoms are monitored and compared between the two mask types to assess their effect on symptom severity. Participants are asked to use the assigned mask type during surgeries and report their symptoms daily using rating scales and symptom tracking forms. Data collection occurs five days a week for four weeks both before and after surgery. Researchers measure physical symptoms such as muscle weakness, myalgia, muscle cramps, respiratory parameters, watery eyes, and redness. The study monitors symptom severity using a numerical rating scale and evaluates the differences between mask types to understand the impact on surgical smoke-related symptoms.

THE EFFECT OF SURGICAL MASK AND N95 MASK USE ON SURGICAL SMOKE IN OPERATING ROOM NURSES