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N95 Respirator
Fit Testing

The last N95 Fit Testing will be conducted 30 minutes prior to closing.
Click here for more information and mask fitting locations.

 

The Difference Between Respirators & Surgical Masks

Para la versión en español

Managers


  • To determine which of your personnel (employees or contractors) may need respiratory protection, please consult the Respiratory Protection Policy posted on your hospital’s intranet and, if necessary, your Infection Control Department
  • If you determine that several or more of your staff are unable to attend fit testing during the posted schedule, please contact us.

Overview

SHC and LPCH Infection Control policy, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations, and California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) regulations require the hospitals and clinics to provide reasonable measures that allow personnel to protect themselves against possible infection from known or suspected sources (patients) of virulent airborne disease contagions such as:

  • Tuberculosis (TB)
  • SarsBird
  • Flu

 These measures are intended only to apply to personnel who are known to work in an occupational role or setting in which they may potentially come in contact with a patient or specimen known or suspected to be infected with a virulent airborne illness and who pose a potential danger (currently infectious or contagious) to the person.

While many personnel share similar job descriptions, only the individual’s manager can determine whether the person’s duties indicate his or her need for respiratory protection. Some positions for which respiratory protection may be indicated include:

  • patient care nurses & physicians
  • respiratory care staff
  • housekeepers (who clean patient rooms)
  • microbiology laboratory staff
  • any personnel in the presence of
    High Risk Medical Procedures (HRMPs*)
  • patient transporters
  • emergency room staff
  • diagnostic or therapeutic staff
  • security staff
  • language interpreters
  • patient counseling staff
  • environmental maintenance staff

Those who do NOT typically require respiratory protection include:

  • administrative and clerical staff
  • volunteers
  • any staff whose routine duties do not require them to be in the presence of High Risk Medical Procedures (HRMPs*)

* medical procedures resulting in aerosolization of respiratory secretions are High Risk Medical Procedures

SHC and LPCH hospitals provide 2 different types of respiratory protection to personnel who require it:

  • N95 Respirators which consist of a tight-fitting faceplate (green masks). These can be fitted to about 95% of personnel. N95 Respirator users require annual fit testing and training.
  • Controlled Air Purifying Respirator (CAPR) which consist of a battery-powered HEPA filter which blows purified air into a loose fitting hood worn over the head. These are offered to personnel who are unable to wear an N95 respirator (i.e. facial hair) or do not pass the fit test. CAPR users require annual training.

See the CAPR Training Page

Your department may utilize additional or alternative respiratory protection measures. Consult your manager if necessary.

Please consult your manager to determine if you require fit testing, or if you are unable to be fit tested during the posted schedule.