N95 Mask Fit Testing Communication to General Practice 8 July 2021 The risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to a healthcare provider is dependent upon the prevalence of the virus within the population, the transmissibility of the virus and the nature of the interaction between healthcare provider and patient. N95 masks are one part of the process to minimize risk of transmission. They require accurate fit testing to identify the correct mask for each person and fit checking prior to each use to ensure maximal benefit.
Support for Practices The WBoP PHO can assist practices fit-testing their staff for N95 masks, and ensure staff are correctly trained in fit-checking and ongoing N95 mask use. •
Fit testing can occur on site at the practice and takes approximately 30 minutes per person – the use of a room is required.
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Alternatively, a time for testing at the WBoPPHO offices can be arranged.
Only staff who will be undertaking Covid-19 swabbing and assessment of patients with respiratory conditions need to complete this training. The training is offered free of charge. Contact: Jenny Falconer (jennyf@wboppho.org.nz) to arrange a time and location for your team.
Pre-Training Information for Staff Before the training occurs, staff need to watch the following short videos: •
How to Wear a 3M™ N95 9210 Respirator - YouTube
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3M™ FT-10 and 3M™ FT-30 Qualitative Fit Testing Kits - YouTube
Additional information about the requirements will be provided prior to testing, such as food intake and facial hair etc.
Ordering N95 Masks Once your staff have completed this process you will be able to order ongoing supplies of N95 masks from the PPE portal
Scenarios for N95 Mask Use Current Scenarios where a N95 mask is recommended (as at 8.7.21): General practice and urgent medical care staff when having close interactions with a patient in a closed confined space such as a poorly ventilated examination or procedure room 1 in the following two situations: 1) When there is widespread community transmission, which will be defined and communicated by public health or When Alert Level changes to 3 or 4, AND With a patient presenting with potential symptoms of COVID-19*, including atypical symptoms. 2) With any person who meets the HIS criteria listed* and has potential symptoms of COVID-19*, including atypical symptoms, and is not fully immunised. 1
This may be the room that gets hot and stuffy during the warmer months and the window cannot be opened, or an internal room where there is no window to open and neither of these spaces has mechanical ventilation to improve ventilation.