BACKGROUND There has been increasing debate surrounding mask and respirator interventions to control respiratory infection transmission in both healthcare and community settings. As decision makers are considering the recommendations they should evaluate how to provide the most efficient protection strategies with minimum costs. The aim of this review is to identify and evaluate the existing ec...

With a few simple modifications, an aerosol mask was adapted to deliver high concentrations of oxygen. We compared the delivery of high concentrations of oxygen by this modified aerosol mask (MAM) with that of a nonrebreathing mask (NRM) in five normal volunteers and six patients with respiratory failure. Besides improved oxygenation, the MAM also permitted the following: humidification of the ...

There are limited data on the use of masks and respirators to reduce transmission of influenza. A systematic review was undertaken to help inform pandemic influenza guidance in the United Kingdom. The initial review was performed in November 2009 and updated in June 2010 and January 2011. Inclusion criteria included randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental and observational studies o...

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) has proved to be an excellent technique in selected critically ill patients with different forms of acute respiratory failure. However, NIV can fail on account of the severity of the disease and technical problems, particularly at the interface. The helmet could be an alternative interface compared to face mask to improve NIV success. We performed a cli...

The Covid-19 pandemic raises the need for an ethical framework that addresses unique challenges and questions arising from airborne infectious diseases. For example, are we ever ethically obliged to wear a face mask? If so, why when? Respiratory Ethics Framework (REF) herein proposes pathways answers grounded in norms moral principles of non-harm, beneficence respect personal autonomy. REF is e...

Chemiresistive monitoring of respiratory frequency and ammonia gas in breath-out gases has been presented over humidity responsive PVA/PANI/CC composite film based functional mask.

OBJECTIVE To identify which noninvasive ventilation (NIV) masks are most commonly used and the problems related to the adaptation to such masks in critically ill patients admitted to a hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS An observational study involving patients ≥ 18 years of age admitted to intensive care units and submitted to NIV. The reason for NIV use, type of mask, NIV re...

Pneumonia is a complication of primary varicella infection that occurs most commonly in adults and may lead to life-threatening respiratory failure. We report a case of varicella pneumonia with impending respiratory failure in which endotracheal intubation was averted by the use of CPAP mask ventilation with a favorable outcome.