Impact of Respiratory Protective Equipment on Verbal Communication in the Anesthetic Environment

RPE, principally devices that obscure the mouth, substantially impairs verbal communication in the anesthetic environment, with FFP-3 masks causing the greatest reduction in speech clarity. PAPRs introduce additional barriers, especially for listeners. To mitigate these effects, health care professionals should select RPE that balances protection with communication needs. Additional strategies, such as reducing background noise, enhancing RPE design, and implementing alternative communication methods may further improve verbal exchanges in critical care settings.