Safety of our care team continues to be a high priority as we navigate through the pandemic.
We have begun to test patients being admitted identifying potential asymptomatic positive patients. As community testing increases, we are seeing asymptomatic cases with a prevalence of < 2%. To alleviate concerns related to caring for potentially asymptomatic patients who have not been tested or are awaiting test results, we are providing the option for clinicians to wear an N95 mask until the PCR test results negative and the patient is not a person under investigation.
How to obtain N95 for your inpatient departments
- Leader:
- Order supply based on average number of employees for both a day and a night shift, plus an additional 5 more.
- Obtain a collection container for end of shift N95 collection.
- A black collection bin with step-top lid= a red biohazard bag + with the N-95 Collection Sign attached (13-gallon capacity).
- A linen hamper with lid= a red biohazard bag (20 to 30-gallon capacity) + with the N-95 Collection Sign attached.
- No physical container (for low volume areas) = A red biohazard bag + N-95 Collection Sign attached.
- Keep N95s in a secure location and distribute to direct care employees (such as RNs and NAs) as requested.
Guidelines and best practices for N95
- One (1) mask per caregiver per day unless replacement is needed due to visible contamination or mask becomes moist.
- Once you place on the mask, it can be worn in multiple patient rooms.
- Not everyone is able to wear an N95 due to medical conditions that may be made worse when breathing through a respirator. Please contact employee health if have health condition that would limit your ability to wear an N95.
- A fit seal check should be performed before each use.
- Video on how to self-check a N95 Respirator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnXN1OD6VRw
- Remove during eating/drinking
- Doff your mask by the straps, grasp mask on inside, fold in half with inside of mask facing outward, place in brown paper bag or envelope when not in use, see video: https://youtu.be/k7b_nhTtN4M
End of shift N95 collection
General Instructions:
- EVS will collect all N-95 respirator masks from Soiled Utility Areas minimally twice per day, at approximately 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
- If Soiled Utility Area is overflowing with N-95 masks before regularly scheduled pick-up time, please contact EVS for additional pick-up.
- All N-95 respirator masks are to be placed in a container with the N-95 Collection Signage affixed to it (See Page 2).
- These containers are for the collection of N-95 respirator masks only
- Preferred placement for these containers is inside Soiled Utility Areas.
- All N-95 collections outside of Soiled Utility Areas must be moved inside Soiled Utility Areas for EVS pickup.
EVS specific Directions:
- Types of collection containers:
- A black collection bin with step-top lid= a red biohazard bag + with the N-95 Collection Sign attached (13-gallon capacity).
- A linen hamper with lid= a red biohazard bag (20 to 30-gallon capacity) + with the N-95 Collection Sign attached.
- No physical container (for low volume areas)= A red biohazard bag + N-95 Collection Sign attached.
- Once EVS collects the N-95s in the Red Biohazard Bag, place into 1 Clear bag, then into the N95 BOX for delivery to Batelle.
- All black collection bins with step-top lids outside of Soiled Utility Areas need to be wiped inside and outside with EPA approved disinfectant wipes after collection, disposal and replacement of collection bins.
