Course Access
As a scrub/ scout RN I whole heartily agree with Terry.
Nicky Whitehouse RN
Ipswich Day Hostpital
> On 24 Apr 2020, at 8:37 am, Terrye wrote:
>
>
> Thankyou Rachel for raising this challenging issue.
>
> As we reintroduce elective procedures into the privately operated Day Surgery environment and where Aerosol Generating Procedures are being performed, some state and territory guidelines require P2 / N95 masks to be worn for all patients, not just those that have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
>
> Apart from the issues with lack of supply, there is limited expertise in fit testing / fit checking in this sector healthcare and I am concerned about the risks to the personnel working in these operating rooms.
>
> In my humble opinion, there needs to be a nationally endorsed response to your questions.
>
> Kind Regards
> Terry McAuley
> Director
> MSc Medical Device Decontamination
>
> PO BOX 2249, Greenvale, VIC Australia 3059
> Mobile: +61 (0)438 109 692
> Email: terry@steamconsulting.com.au
> Website: http://www.steamconsulting.com.au
>
>
>
>
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> From: ACIPC Infexion Connexion On Behalf Of Thomson, Rachel EA
> Sent: Friday, April 24, 2020 8:06 AM
> To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
> Subject: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] Fit testing program – Can you please help?
>
> Hi all
>
> We are interested in other states/jurisdictions/facilities approaches to fit-testing, either qualitative or quantitative.
>
> We had a qualitative fit-testing program within our hospital previously and we made the decision to disband this earlier in the year for a number of reasons.
>
> We are now getting significant pressure from a particular clinical group to re-establish fit-testing again.
>
> We had a number of issues with the fit-testing program previously and our rationale for not re-establishing fit-testing currently include the following:
> Fit-testing has not been proven to provide safer P2 (N95) mask use compared with fit-checking alone
> Despite the presence of the Australian Standard, fit-testing is not mandatory and fit-checking is accepted to be the minimum standard
> There are a number of practical difficulties to be considered with the re-introduction of a fit-testing program;
> If fit-testing is offered to one craft group, all healthcare workers that require a P2 (N95) mask within their clinical role will expect a similar approach. Equitable approach would need to be considered for all.
> Some individuals will not have a successful fit-test e.g. do not taste the fit-testing solution, do not have a successful fit-test with any of the available masks. Does this equate to that healthcare worker being unsafe with an appropriately fit-checked P2 (N95) mask?
> Resources required for fit-testing program is not insignificant i.e. human resources and PPE required, with consideration for annual testing thereafter
> What to do for individuals that have not been fit-tested as yet but they are required to work with the requirement of a P2 (N95) mask?
> What to do if individuals fit-tested mask is not available at the point of care, particularly in the setting of the current PPE stock issues?
>
> We would be really keen to understand others thoughts and experiences and approaches.
>
> Your urgent advice would be much appreciated. Please feel free to email me off-line or even call me if you can
>
> Thanks in advance
> Rachel
>
> ..
> Rachel Thomson
> Nurse Unit Manager
>
> Infection Prevention & Control Unit
> Royal Hobart Hospital
> Tasmanian Health Organisation-South
>
> (: 03 6166 7882/ 6166 8658
>
> Mobile: 0400 718 574
> Email: rachel.thomson@ths.tas.gov.au
>
> Level 4, H Block
> 48 Liverpool Street
> Hobart, 7000
>
>
>
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The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.
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