I am glad you are not my employee health nurse.

If your employees are not using an N95 mask properly, then you need to conduct an in-service and step up monitoring for compliance, not encourage improper PPE for the situation. Even a fluid-guard surgical mask (rated at N99) does no good if it leaks air along the cheeks or around the chin.

My pet peave is to watch nurses and docs wear gloves while touching the patient and then type on the hospital room computer wearing the same gloves. The next doc/nurse comes along and removes their gloves and washes their hands before typing on the same computer. Then they touch their face and head out the door to the next patient. I watched this as a patient’s advocate in Utah.

Be vigilant but sane about the H1N1!
Nancy

As the Employee Health Nurse for a large medical center I am concerned that the strong recommendation of N95s for protection rather than surgical masks are putting our employees at a greater risk.

Because N95s are being reused and are difficult to breath through, there is much maneuverings and fidgeting, along with letting the device dangle between patients etc – all this increases the chances that there will be self inoculation from the contaminated exterior.

Clearly, wearing a regular surgical mask allows for being able to breath easier, less maneuverings and fidgeting – plus with less per unit cost and greater availability the willingness to easily toss and obtain a new mask more frequently will be a better thing. If needed, unlike the N95s these regular masks can be worn for extended periods without having to remove to breath.

If suctioning, intubating, respiratory treatments etc are needed: then a N95 with goggles, or a PAPR does make sense.

Please reconsider your suggestions for personal protection so as to actually help protect employees properly.

Thanks, Chris