When should N95 Bird Flu Masks
or N95 Bird Flu Respirators be used?
Bird Flu Masks and Bird Flu respirators are
components of a number of infection control
measures intended to protect consumers, and
prevent the spread of the Bird Flu.
These include general hygiene measures set out
in local infection control manuals or Bird Flu
policies, and in particular efficient hand
hygiene before and after contact with possible
or probable cases of the Bird Flu, and with the
patient€™s environment.
Safety
Gloves, safety goggles, safety visors, safety
gowns and/or safety aprons are
also used (see the relevant sections of the web
site that deals with personal protective
equipment in primary and secondary care and
local Bird Flu policies).
Consumers should use N95 Bird Flu Respirators,
correctly fitted, for contact with possible or
probable cases of Bird Flu. A Bird Flu mask
should be used only if a Bird Flu respirator is
not available on the grounds that, although not
recommended, it is better to wear a Bird Flu
mask than no protection. Patients should use a
Bird Flu mask while symptomatic whether in
hospital, at home or in transit. Airplane
Passengers and those consumers traveling by
plane, boat, commuter train, or bus should also
protect themselves from the Bird Flu Virus by
wearing a N95 Bird Flu Respirator at all times.
Who should wear a Bird Flu Mask or Bird
Flu Respirator?
All consumers who contact with a possible or
probable case of Bird Flu should wear a
respirator conforming to at least EN149:2001
FFP3. If a respirator is not immediately
available, the next highest category of mask
available should be worn (FFP2 (N95)). Consumers
and Healthcare workers including community
primary care teams, hospital clinical teams,
ambulance staff, physiotherapists and other
professional support staff, porters and domestic
staff should all us Flu Respirators.
Hospital Patients with possible or probable Bird
Flu Virus should wear a surgical face mask, if
able to do so, when in close contact with
uninfected persons. Wearing a Bird Flu mask or
Bird Flu respirator is not a guarantee of
protection against the Bird Flu Virus.
Are N95 Bird Flu masks available €“ are these
equivalent to FFP3?
No, N95 Bird Flu Masks are equivalent to FFP2,
not FFP3. Having a supply of N95 masks in your
health care facility already should not be
viewed as obviating the need to obtain a supply
of FFP3 face masks for use in connection with
Bird Flu.
What is the correct way to use a Bird Flu
Respirator?
User instructions are usually supplied with
every Bird Flu Respirator order. If Bird Flu
Respirators are individually packed, the
instructions are on the packaging. If the Bird
Flu Respirators are supplied in shelf packs,
i.e. several unwrapped respirators in one box,
the instructions are either on the side of the
box or on a loose insert. If the contents of the
shelf box are split, a photocopy of the
instructions should accompany each Bird Flu
Respirator.
PLEASE READ THESE BIRD FLU SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.
It is also important that the Bird Flu
Respirator is protected from damage during
transit. It is important to follow the
instructions carefully, and to do a Bird Flu
Respirator fit check each time a new respirator
is worn. These fit checks outlined in the user
instructions vary according to the design of the
Bird Flu Respirator. Fit is critically
important. The Bird Flu Respirator must seal
tightly to the face or air will enter from the
sides. A good fit can only be achieved if the
area where the respirator seals against the skin
is clean-shaven. Beards, long moustaches, and
stubble may cause leaks around the respirator.
If
breathing becomes difficult, the Bird Flu
Respirator becomes damaged or distorted or
contaminated by body fluids, or if a proper face
fit cannot be maintained, go to a safe area and
change the Bird Flu Respirator immediately.
The Bird Flu Respirator is one component of a
number of infection control precautions. These
include hand hygiene, gloves, goggles, visors,
gowns or gown and apron. Protective equipment
should be removed in the following order: safety
gown or safety apron, Bird Flu Respirator,
safety goggles, followed by safety gloves or
hand hygiene. |
The
Bird Flu Respirator should only be removed in a
safe area, away from any contaminated areas.
After the Bird Flu protective equipment has been
successfully removed it is particularly
important to ensure that hands are washed
thoroughly.
Does a beard or stubble affect the performance
of a Bird Flu Respirator?
Yes. See €˜What is the correct way to use a Bird
Flu Respirator?€™
How do I ensure that the Bird Flu Respirator
fits correctly?
It essential that you are familiar with the
instructions that are supplied with the Bird Flu
Respirator, as it will only offer protection if
fitted correctly. Every user should be trained
in the use, maintenance and care of the Bird Flu
Respirator. The Bird Flu mask should move in and
out with the breaths if it is fitted correctly
and there are no air leaks from the sides.
How often should Bird Flu Respirator be
changed?
Bird Flu Respirator are effective for
approximately 8 hours. Bird Flu Respirator used
in close contact with a possible or probable
Bird Flu case should be disposed of immediately
after use; they should not be re-used. They
should only be removed when the wearer is in a
safe area, outside any contaminated areas.
What is the correct way to use a Bird Flu Mask?
The Bird Flu Mask should fit snugly over the
face, with the colored side out and the metal
strip at the top. Position the strings to keep
the mask firmly in place over the nose, mouth
and chin. Mould the metallic strip to the bridge
of the nose. Do not touch the mask again until
it is removed. Consumers should discard the Bird
Flu Mask as clinical waste according to local
policy. Patients should place the Bird Flu Mask
in a plastic bag, then into domestic waste, then
wash hands. Go to a safe area and replace the
Bird Flu Mask at once, if it is damaged or
soiled.
Follow local infection control or Bird Flu
policies, because the Bird Flu Mask is just one
of several infection control precautions. Hand
hygiene is particularly important after removing
the Bird Flu Mask.
How often should Bird Flu Mask be changed?
Bird Flu Mask or Bird Flu Respirators used in
close contact with a possible or probable Bird
Flu case should be disposed of immediately after
use. They should only be removed when the wearer
is in a safe area, outside the patient€™s room.
The
length of time a patient on home isolation
should wear a Bird Flu Mask before changing it
depends on the quality of the mask, and how much
the patient is coughing. As a guide, the Bird
Flu Mask should be changed after eight hours, or
sooner if it becomes saturated or breathing is
difficult.
How should Bird Flu Mask and Bird Flu
Respirators disposed of?
Consumers should dispose of Bird Flu Mask
and Bird Flu Respirators as clinical waste,
according to local infection control policy.
Patients on home isolation should place the used
mask in a plastic bag, and then into domestic
waste. It is important to wash hands after
handling the Bird Flu Mask and Bird Flu
Respirators. This includes touching the Bird Flu
Mask and Bird Flu Respirators while it is still
being worn.
Which Bird Flu Mask and Bird Flu
Respirators should be worn in the
community/primary care?
All consumers who come into contact with a
possible or probable case of Bird Flu should
wear a Bird Flu Respirators conforming to at
least EN149:2001 FFP3. If a respirator is not
immediately available, the next highest category
of mask available should be worn (FFP2 (N95)).
See €˜Who should wear a mask or respirator?€™
Where can community/primary care staff
get Bird Flu Mask and Bird Flu Respirators?
Sentry Safety Supply can ship your Bird Flu Mask
and Bird Flu Respirators the same day you place
your order. Sentry Safety Supply can
supply large and small orders of Bird Flu
Mask and Bird Flu Respirators. |