Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Part (5)

RESPIRATOR MASK:

The N95 respirators it is a disposable mask that covers the nose and the mouth and it helps the wearer from breathing hazardous substances.

• It acts as the air-purifying respirator certified by the national institute for occupational safety and health (NIOSH).
• It has a filter efficiency of 95% i.e greater against oil-free particulate aerosols.
• It has the capability of filtering the contaminants like tuberculosis, viruses, bacteria and mists.
• It doesn’t filter toxic gases, vapours and the smell of smoke.

IS THERE ANY PURPOSE OF USING RESPIRATOR MASK?

• It is designed to protect against particulate matter such as dust, fumes, mists, aerosols and smoke particulates.
• It is effective against biological particles such as spores, bacteria, viruses.
• It is particularly effective against aerosolized droplets which are invisible to our naked eye. 

TYPES OF RESPIRATORS:

• Air-purifying respirator.
• Supplied air respirator.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT RESPIRATOR?

 First, identify the respiratory hazard.

 Evaluate the hazard.

 Check the airborne levels while choosing the respirator.

 Check for the respirator fit testing.

 

WHAT ARE THE RISK OF EXTENDED USE AND REUSE OF RESPIRATORS?

Although the extended use and reuse of the respirator cause potentially more benefits it also has some risk, The most significant risk is of contact transmission from touching the surface of the contaminated respirator, contact transmission occurs through direct contact with others as well as through indirect contact by touching and contaminating surfaces that are then touched by other people, this may reduce the respirator ability protect the wearer caused rough handling or excessive reuse.

COMMON PROBLEMS OF USING RESPIRATOR:

• INCREASED RESISTANCE TO BREATHING: Higher breathing resistance of the air-purifying respirators under conditions of heavy work may cause the user breathing difficulty, particularly in hot humid conditions. To avoid placing additional stress on the wearer, use the lightest respirator possible that presents the least breathing resistance.
• REDUCED ENDURANCE: the prolonged use or continued use of the respirator causes pulmonary effects such as decreased endurance etc...
• REDUCED VISUAL FIELD: visual field loss occurs due to wearing full-face respiratory protection.
• INCREASED RISK FOR HEAT STRESS: Significant thermal discomfort should be expected when wearing the respirator.
• DISCOMFORT OR IRRITATION: Workers may develop local skin disease and allergic reaction when wearing the respirator which causes irritation, itchiness etc.
• PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS: Psychological effects while wearing respirator vary from mild discomfort to real inability to tolerate the mask and anxiety. Difficulty in tolerating the mask may lead to risk in breathing.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN N95 AND SURGICAL MASK?

N95:

• N95 masks are designed to filter at least 95% of the airborne particles.
• N95 respirators are solely designed to reduce and prevent the user’s exposure to airborne contaminants.
• Unlike the surgical mask one size fits all, N95 respirator comes in various sizes and also should be selected based on how it’s fit.
• Many N95 respirators also filter at the front of the mask, forcing air to be filtered properly through instead of allowing the user to breathe in unfiltered air.

SURGICAL MASK:

• A surgical mask is primarily designed to prevent biological particles from being expelled by the wearer into the environment.
• A surgical mask is a physical barrier that protects the user from splashes of body fluids, blood and air contaminants.
• A surgical mask is a cheaper alternative.
• A surgical mask is not designed to provide a tight seal against the user’s face.

HOW TO DON THE RESPIRATOR?

 Secure ties or elastic bands at the middle of the head and neck.

 Fit flexible band to the nose bridge.

 Fit snug to face and below the chin.

 Fit check respirator.

HOW TO REMOVE RESPIRATOR?

1. Front of the respirator is contaminated so don’t touch.
2. If your hands get contaminated during respirator removal, immediately wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
3. Grasp bottom ties or elastic of the respirator, then the ones at the top, and remove without touching the front.
4. Discard the respirator in the waste container.

DO’S AND DON’TS:

DO:

• Check to make sure the N95 respirator has no defects such as holes or torn straps.
• Wear for protection against very small particles that float in the air.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instruction for donning and removing the N95 respirator.
• Ensure a proper fit.
• Mould the respirator over the bridge of your nose when putting it on to help keep the N95 respirator on and fitting properly.
• Tilt head forward and remove the N95 respirator by pulling the bottom strap over the back of the head, followed by the top strap without touching the front of the mask.
• Discard an N95 respirator by touching straps only.
• Perform hand hygiene before and after use of an N95.
• Remove the N95 respirator when no longer in clinical space and the patient intervention is complete.

DON’T:

• DON’T wear if wet or soiled, get a new respirator.
• DON’T reuse, toss it after wearing once.
• DON’T let patients are visitors wear N95 respirators unless they’ve been fit tested.
• DON’T use the N95 respirator if air leaks around the respirator edges.
• DON’T touch the front N95 respirator as it is contaminated after use.
• DON’T share your N95 respirator with others, germs can spread that way.
• DON’T leave an N95 respirator hanging around your neck.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 👈                          👉 Part 6, Part 7