This message is being sent on behalf of
Luther (Pat) Rhodes MD, FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA,
Chief Infection Control and Hospital, Epidemiology and
Matthew M. McCambridge, MD, MS, FACP, FCCP, C
hief Quality and Patient Safety Officer, SVP
Protective Mask Guidelines
See below and attached guidelines on:
- Extended and limited re-use of N95 respirator masks
- Extended and limited re-use of Surgical masks
Recommended Guidelines for Extended Use of N95 Respirator Masks and Eye Protection for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19
To balance the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and employee safety the CDC provides guidance for Extended Use of N95 Respirator Masks. N95 Use is restricted to the following:
- Inpatients on Enhanced Droplet precautions during an aerosol generating procedure
- Ambulatory patients undergoing an aerosol generating procedure
- Patients critically ill on Airborne Precautions
- Protective eyewear is recommended in all of these situations
For all other patient encounters with suspected COVID patients not having an aerosol generating procedure a surgical mask and protective eyewear should be worn.
PPE is NOT indicated when providing care to a patient who is not suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
Always perform careful hand hygiene BEFORE and AFTER putting on or taking off the N95 respirator to prevent self-contamination.
When to discard and replace the N95 respirator during extended use
- Replace the N95 respirator if it does not maintain its fit and function, becomes damaged, or breathing becomes difficult.
- Discard N95 respirator that becomes contaminated with blood, respiratory or nasal secretions, or other bodily fluids.
- Follow requirements for limited reuse when the respirator is removed for periods of time (e.g. breaks, lunches, while off the unit). See below.
- Discard after your shift. (This is subject to change).
How to reuse the N95 respirator during your shift
- Cover the N95 respirator with a surgical facemask during aerosol generating procedure to prevent contamination.
- Avoid touching the front of the N95 while wearing. Perform hand hygiene if contact with the front of the mask is experienced.
- Avoid touching the inside of the N95 respirator when taking off and putting on prior to disinfecting your hands.
- Use a pair of clean (non-sterile) gloves when donning a used N95 respirator and performing a user seal check. Discard gloves after the N95 respirator is donned and any adjustments are made to ensure the respirator is sitting comfortably on your face with a good seal.
- Perform careful hand hygiene before and after touching or adjusting the respirator (if necessary, for comfort or to maintain fit) during use.
How to store the N95 respirator between uses
- Store N95 respirators in a designated personal container (preferable) or paper bag between uses.
- Do not store N95 respirator with other masks to minimize potential cross-contamination
- Clearly label the container/bag with the name of the person using the N95 respirator – do not share.
- Dispose or clean storage containers regularly with a hospital approved disinfectant.
Employees personal N95 respirators
- Employees are permitted to wear their own personal N95 respirator provided it is NIOSH approved ONLY as appropriate.
- The employee will be responsible to assure they are familiar with the instructions for use associated with their N95 respirator.
- The employee will be responsible to maintain the cleanliness of their N95 respirator.
- Always perform careful hand hygiene before and after putting on or taking off the N95 respirator to prevent self-contamination.
It is IMPERATIVE that the utilization of PPE (regardless of whether it is PPE from LVHN or your own) MUST be used following LVHN guidelines as listed above.
Eye protection is required in addition to N95 respirator and should be worn for the duration of the shift.
- Perform hand hygiene BEFORE and AFTER putting on or taking off the eye protection
- Disinfect with a hospital approved disinfectant between uses
- Eye glasses are not personal protective equipment. Place goggles over the eye glasses.
Every effort must be made to preserve PPE to assure current and future availability as the expected number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to increase.
Continuous Use of Surgical Facemasks and Eye Protection
Always perform careful hand hygiene BEFORE and AFTER putting on or taking off the surgical facemask and eye protection.
Surgical facemasks can be worn for the duration of the shift unless they become contaminated or damaged.
- If removed for eating, drinking or breaks, carefully store the facemask in a paper bag and label with the name of the user. Do not share.
- Handle surgical facemask by the straps/loops and avoid touching the facemask when removing and reapplying the mask
- Perform hand hygiene BEFORE and AFTER putting on or taking off the surgical facemask
- Avoid touching the front of the surgical facemask while wearing. Perform hand hygiene if contact with the front of the facemask is experienced.
- Discard at the end of the shift
· Eye protection is required in addition to a surgical facemask and should be worn for the duration of the shift.
- Perform hand hygiene BEFORE and AFTER putting on or taking off the eye protection
- Disinfectant with a hospital approved disinfectant between uses
- Eye glasses are not personal protective equipment. Place goggles over the eye glasses.
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