Southampton researchers' improved COVID-19 PPE shown to protect NHS staff

Personal respirator hoods developed in Southampton have been recommended as an effective, sustainable and cost-effective way to protect against COVID-19.

Researchers at University Hospital Southampton and the University of Southampton rapidly designed the PeRSo hoods at the start of the pandemic.

They offer another type of personal protective equipment (PPE) to disposable facemasks. All frontline healthcare workers and support staff can now choose to use one at the hospital.

Developing the PeRSo hoods

PeRSo respirators have a waist-mounted rechargeable battery powered unit. This filters air extremely effectively, and then blows clean air into a loose-fitting hood with a clear visor.

After initial trials, the hospital approved widespread use. Staff asked to use over 1,500 PeRSo hoods in the first wave, and over 3,500 during the second wave.

The preferred choice

A new study, published in Frontiers in Medical Technology, found staff preferred the PeRSo hoods to standard facemasks. They reported feeling safer and more comfortable. Patients also preferred the hoods as they could see their carers’ faces, making communication much easier.

Further analysis showed widespread PeRSo use to be cost-saving after only ten weeks. As they are reusable, the hoods are better for the planet. They were also not affected by supply chain issues like disposable facemasks.

Widespread use led to relatively low staff absence in Southampton during the second wave of the pandemic. All staff, including cleaners, porters, physiotherapists and healthcare assistants, were offered the hoods. Over 80% of staff asked for their PeRSo hoods to be stored for any future rise in cases.

The team concluded that PeRSo hoods are an effective new form of PPE to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19.

Paul Elkington, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Southampton, and co-director of the project, said: “We have shown that widespread PeRSo use gives staff the ability to choose their level of PPE, and is preferred by staff and patients. Also, this approach reduces the enormous waste of standard PPE and is cost-saving as the respirators are reusable.”