Ohio OKs surgical masks after N95 study retraction
At least one state isn’t hesitating to change respiratory protection requirements after authors of an influential Australian study retracted findings that N95 respirators provide more protection than surgical masks against the flu.
Ohio state officials have backed out on previous support of CDC requirements that recommend N95 respirators for healthcare workers treating patients with suspected H1N1, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. State requirements will now permit the use of surgical masks.
State hospitals had pleaded with the state to relax the rules, claiming there was no basis for the recommendations, and citing issues with fit testing and N95 shortages.
“We’re happy they’re going with more reasonable recommendations,” Dr. Jennifer Hanrahan of MetroHealth Medical Center told the Plain Dealer. The new state policy “is in line with what recommendations are for regular flu.”
Surgical masks are now sufficient for routine care in Ohio, but N95s are still required for aerosal generating procedures, as recommended by the CDC.
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My concern would be, are those wearing surgical masks instead of N95s fit tested to be certain they are protecting themselves (and those they love when they get home) from whatever contagious they may unknowingly become infected with? Personally, as someone who comes in contact with possibly infected patients or other healthcare workers at work, I would not want to take that chance!
Good point, Carol. However, there is no requirement to fit-test surgical masks because they are not considered respirators. I doubt that a surgical or procedure mask could pass any fit test according to the OSHA fit-test protocol.
I guess that makes it much scarier and sad in my perspective.
The only way flu can enter the body is through the nose, mouth and eyes. Since influenza is not airborne, and fit testing is not necessary for surgical masks there is not a reason for alarm. The mask is a barrier along with eye protection to protect the mucous membranes. As long as N-95s are used for aerosol generating procedures there is no risk to the healthcare worker. This is the argument that has been made against the routine use of N-95 for H1N1. Carol, I’m not sure where your concern lies.
Your risk, and that of your family members, are as high or higher in the community as in the hospital. It’s everywhere.
Plus, we are all supposed to be using Standard Precautions, which considers ALL patients potentially contagious, no matter what their diagnosis is. And recommends use of whatever PPE is called for. During flu season, it is reasonable to wear a mask if working close to a coughing patient, no matter what the strain is.
I think it is funny that hospitals must fit test 9-95 masks to protect themselves and others. But you can purchase the same N-95 masks as any home improvement store and look at painters, drywallers, lawn care companies and they don’t require to be fit tested.
We fit our hospital staff, and the cost is very high. but watch staff put on the mask a day later, how many do it correctly? Just like many hospital staff using antimicrobial hand gel all the time.
Actually it is the employee status that kicks in the fit-testing requirement. I can go to Home Deport buy a particulate half mask respirator and then do any kind of respiratory or personal damage to myself as an inept home repair goof. There are no federal or state regulations against being dumb in your own home. But there are in the workplace.
By the way, you are wrong about painter and drywallers. If they are employees, not independent contractors, they are subject to fit-testing for respirators just like healthcare workers. Whether they adhere to the regulation is another thing. Maybe that is another thing painters and drywallers have in common with healthcare workers.
There are lots of things that hold true in our work lives that are different from in our private lives, one of the reasons is called OSHA.
I agree with you. I have been in Safety & Environmental Health for over 20 years, as well as being in construction. I see landscapers spraying weed killer over large areas,and landscapers, some where masks and some don’t, none have been tested. Yes, I have asked.
But then again, one city in the area had a chlorine leak and the police responded and put on there trusty N-95 masks to rush in. They could not understand why they were coughing and burning in chest.
Companies have not been caught. Thanks for your comments.
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