Implementation of a respiratory protection program within healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic- lessons learned - 23/08/22

, Kathy Dempsey, MNSc, CICP-E, Kate Clezy, MBBS, FRACP, Patricia Bradd, PhDAbstract |
The use of fit tested respirators in the workplace is required to protect health workers against airborne pathogens. The COVID-19 pandemic required rapid upscaling of fit testing which was achieved using the framework of a respiratory protection program. Implementing and sustaining such a program in the midst of a pandemic was challenging and required clear direction from a lead agency combined with stakeholder engagement.
El texto completo de este artículo está disponible en PDF.Highlights |
• | Health workers (HW) required to wear a tight-fitting respirator should perform a user seal check at each use to ensure that the respirator fits the wearer's face snugly |
• | Fit testing is a validated method to determine whether the type of respirator being used by a person provides an adequate seal on that person's face. |
• | A standardized respiratory protection program with governance and structures is the key to the success and sustanability of the program. |
Key Words : Fit checking, Fit testing, Infection prevention and control, Personal protective equipment, Respiratory protection
Esquema
| Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. |
Vol 50 - N° 9
P. 1067-1069 - septembre 2022 Regresar al númeroBienvenido a EM-consulte, la referencia de los profesionales de la salud.
