Use of Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirator in the Clinical Care Environment: Health Care Worker Perceptions.

Background: Elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMR) reduce health care workers' exposure to airborne hazards including bioaerosols but have primarily been used in the industrial setting.

Purpose: To assess health care workers' perceptions, attitudes, and experiences wearing EHMRs in a clinical environment.

Methods: Employees within a single health care system who wore the EHMR continuously during their shift completed an investigator developed survey.