Durable, comfortable, and reliable Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) have become a critical part of personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare—especially during pandemics and infectious disease outbreaks.
Unlike N95 respirators, PAPRs offer full-face protection and don’t require fit testing—making them a practical and effective choice for healthcare personnel working in high-risk environments such as hospitals, surgical units, and long-term care facilities.
In this article, we’ll walk through the key advantages of PAPRs over traditional respirators, highlight why many facilities are switching to healthcare-specific systems like the RPB PX5 PAPR system, and share what you should look for when selecting the best PAPR solution for your team.
Why healthcare facilities are turning to PAPRs
As COVID-19 continues to evolve, the need for adequate respiratory protection in healthcare remains strong. Even beyond the pandemic, PAPRs are becoming a key part of infection control strategy in environments that serve elderly or immunocompromised patients.
According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), clinicians performing aerosol-generating procedures on suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients should wear a PAPR, N95, or N99 respirator rather than a surgical mask. PAPRs, especially loose-fitting models, offer several advantages over disposable N95s:
- All-day wear comfort: Unlike N95s, PAPRs are built for extended shifts without discomfort.
- No fit testing required: Loose-fitting PAPR hoods can be worn by individuals with facial hair.
- Full face protection: They protect the wearer’s eyes, nose, and mouth from contaminants.
- Environmental & economic value: Reusable PAPRs reduce reliance on disposable PPE and mitigate emergency procurement issues.
Not all PAPRs are designed with healthcare needs in mind. Many are industrial by design, lacking the lightweight materials, quiet motors, and flexible sizing that clinical settings demand. For healthcare-specific performance, it’s important to choose a system like the RPB PX5 with T200 hood, which combines high filtration efficiency with comfort, audibility, and ease of movement.
The best PAPR for healthcare was designed specifically for medical professionals
Unlike most other PAPR hoods on the market today, the RPB PX5 with T200 Respirator Hood was designed specifically for healthcare settings. The RPB T200 is a lightweight multipurpose respirator that was designed to relieve healthcare and life science industry workers of breathing difficulties and fatigue experienced with N95 use. This respirator does not require face fit testing or medical evaluations.
RPB Safety respirators are Made in Michigan from local and globally sourced components in a secure and uninterruptible supply chain. Established in the 1970's, RPB's Special Operations Unit has been developing advanced respiratory protection for more than 40 years. An R&D group comprised of PPE innovators, users & advocates, RPB Safety designs and manufactures the world’s most advanced respirators.
The RPB PX5 with T200 respirator hood is used in a variety of health care environments including hospitals and nursing homes. This all-in-one PAPR integrates head, face, eye, and (optional) hearing protection for:
- Doctors and nurses
- Home health care providers
- Dentists
- EMTs and first responders
The best PAPR for healthcare provides high filtration efficiency without sacrificing comfort
The T200 has been approved by NIOSH for use with the RPB PX5® PAPR, a lightweight, ergonomically designed battery powered unit which supplies HEPA filtered air without restriction of attached lines.
The high efficiency filter removes 99.97% of particulates down to 0.12 microns, resulting in an OSHA Assigned Protection Factor (APF) that is 100 times the highest N95 APF.
The PX5 PAPR provides a cool flow of respirable air up to 8.4 cfm to enable easier breathing, even with asthma.
Designed to be worn on the hip, the PX5 PAPR is lightweight (2.55 lbs) and decontaminable, powered by a long-life lithium-ion battery that is sealed inside the unit to prevent accidental shutdown. The compact design features superior ingress protection, filter safety mechanisms to eliminate the risk of user operation errors, an intuitive mount lock system and LED user interface.
Three fan speeds are available. Battery life will last an entire shift (8+ hours on fan speed 3 or 12+ hours on fan speed 1). Replacement batteries and other accessories are available.
The best PAPR system for healthcare is adjustable and customizable
Available with either a head harness or bump cap for head protection and multiple hood options, the PX5/T200 PAPR hood is adaptable to different healthcare environments that need reliable face protection and respiratory protection.
The hood material is Tychem® QC (2000) and there are several variations of this respirator hood available:
- The Face Seal Hood option allows the wearer to easily use a stethoscope with open access to the ears.
- The Face Seal Hood with Shoulder Length or Full Shroud provides additional coverage down to the shoulders while also allowing stethoscope use without breaking the face seal.
Either hood is adjustable for optimal fit. Turn the ratcheting knob for a secure fit that ensures the hood moves with your head.
The PX5/T200 gives hospital and health care facilities the ability to adapt the base product to suit multiple applications without having large inventories of replacement parts.
The best PAPR for healthcare is designed for optimal mobility & ease of communication
The PX5 with T200 respirator hood was designed to keep workers safe without sacrificing productivity.
The lightweight T200 face seal hood allows for full range of motion and includes a padded head harness which provides comfort and balanced weight distribution to ensure the hood will never blow up or off the wearer's head. Some options include an inner bib with drawstring tuck-in collar directs surplus air inside of clothing to keep you cool.
Communication issues that could occur when wearing a PAPR aren’t a concern with the PX5 PAPR with T200 face seal hood:
- Because this innovative design does not cover the ears, doctors, nurses and other health care workers can communicate easily with patients and colleagues. The PX5 PAPR also runs quiet - as low as 57 dBA. For hearing protection, the optional Quiet-Slim™ Ear Defender earmuff system can be used.
- Designed with a large visor to facilitate exceptional communication between patient and provider, this healthcare PAPR also won’t obstruct a doctor or nurse’s line of sight. The large viewing window provides exceptional downward and peripheral vision. Peel off disposable lenses are also available to ensure uninterrupted clear vision without wipe downs.
- The large visor also provides the patient with a complete view of the provider's face. This affords an additional level of comfort and non-verbal communication with patients that cannot be achieved with tight fitting face respirators.
The best PAPR for healthcare is made in the USA by industry leading respiratory specialists
The COVID-19 pandemic taught hospital and healthcare procurement managers about international supply chain challenges and the dangers of just-in-time manufacturing. The PX5 PAPR with T200 respirator hood is made in the USA by RPB Safety to ensure exceptional quality control and timeliness of delivery, supply chain integrity of replacement components, et cetera. Healthcare respiratory protection by RPB Safety is widely used in the healthcare and life sciences industries and trusted by organizations such as Kaiser Permanente, Trinity Health, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, Aspirus Health, ProHealth Care, Oklahoma Heart Hospital, King’s Daughters, HCA Healthcare, Freeman Health System, Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Buy or rent the best healthcare PAPRs for every budget
Whether you're outfitting a hospital, dental clinic, or long-term care facility, Novarlo offers flexible PAPR solutions to match your team’s needs and budget.
Top PAPR for healthcare
Our most recommended option is the RPB T200 Respirator Hood, paired with the PX5 or HX5 PAPR units. The system is stethoscope-friendly, NIOSH-certified, and designed specifically for healthcare settings. Choose between a belt-mounted or backpack-mounted unit depending on your comfort and workflow preferences.
Short-term use? Rent a PAPR
If you only need PAPRs for a limited time or want to try before you buy, take advantage of our PAPR rental program, perfect for training, emergency use, or temporary facility needs.
Buy or Rent the Best Healthcare PAPRs for Every Budget
Novarlo offers flexible PAPR options, whether you're outfitting a hospital, clinic, or long‑term care facility—with choices to fit various needs and budgets.
Recommended PAPR Systems
- RPB PX5 PAPR + T200 Hood – This top-rated system is NIOSH-certified for healthcare with an APF of 1000, stethoscope-friendly hood, and ergonomic design for all-day comfort.
- RPB HX5 PAPR – A lower-cost variant with the same high APF and compatibility with the T200 hood; ideal for limited budgetsAdditional PAPR Options
- RPB Z‑Link Respirator Helmet – Lightweight helmet with flip-up visor, comfortable fit system, and compatibility with PX5/PX4 units for diverse healthcare and commercial use.
- PureFlo 3000 Self-Contained PAPR – All-in-one helmet or hood system with integrated battery; no hoses or belts and excellent mobility.
Try Before You Buy
If you’re evaluating PAPRs for temporary use or training, consider our PAPR rental program, customized to fit healthcare or industrial needs. Equipment is cleaned, ready to use, and shipped with full support.
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