A FRAMEWORK FOR COMPARING N95 AND ELASTOMERIC FACEPIECE RESPIRATORS ON COST AND FUNCTION FOR USE DURING A PANDEMIC

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 has posed implications for personal protective equipment (PPE) supply such as N95 respirators. In this research it was examined if elastomeric facepiece respirators (EFRs) are efficacious substitutes for N95s through comparing their functionality and cost. Dynamic modelling was used to compare respirator stockpiling requirements and costs depending on PPE utilization and disinfection strategies. A case study on Dartmouth General Hospital was examined. Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was conducted to assess financial and functional criteria together. N95s are found to be favorable unless cost criteria are given the greatest weight of importance. The research shows that financial and functional findings are predictive, rather than prescriptive, as results vary according to epidemiolocal characteristics of a pandemic. Ultimately, this research provides more sophisticated techniques for forecasting respirator stockpiling demands and offers insights for comparing functional and financial aspects from an operational research perspective.