Please if you are not fitted for N95 ,don’t wear it.It is for health care professionals.
In an effort to protect the health care workers from been exposed to Hepatitis B virus, HIV and other blood borne infections the CDC issued a Recommendations for UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS in 1987. They recommended that health care workers should use gowns, gloves, mask and protective eye equipments when dealing with the possibility of exposure to blood and body fluids. This is in addition to other Isolation precautions safety in place.
SURGICAL MASK:
Is a loosely fitted disposable device. Some of the surgical mask have three layers in it.
It should be worn properly covering the nose and the mouth. It prevent contamination from the environment from reaching you.
It is one of the PPE recommendations by CDC,NIOSH and OSHA.
ADVANTAGES OF SURGICAL MASK.
If worn CORRECTLY will:
A.block large particles from reaching your mouth and nose.
B.Block Droplets, Splash, spray and splatters from entering your mouth and nose.
C.Protect virus and bacteria from reaching your mouth and nose.
D.Reduce respiratory secretions and saliva from reaching your mouth and nose. I like to wear eye goggles in addition to mask because there are some confused patients who might get angry and spit into your face and later apologize. So wear eyewear when dealing with splash.
DISADVANTAGES.
A.Will not filter out or block small particles in the air that is transmitted through coughing, and sneezing.
B.It is used once. And if it gets damaged, difficulty with breathing, soiled .You must leave the contaminated area and change your mask.
C. Does not form a seal around the mouth and nose.
N95 MASK ADVANTAGES.
” 1.NIOSH Approved N95 mask at 95% filtration efficiency against solid, liquid aerosol that do not contain oil”.
2.It is made in USA.It is tested for filtering resistance and particles filtration. Read the instructions very carefully before using.If you have breathing problems it might be difficult to use N95.
3.It is use in hospitals for patients in isolation precautions room.It should be worn and properly fitted before going into COVID19 patients room. It will filter or block small particles in the Air that is transmitted through coughing and sneezing.
4.Form a seal around the nose and mouth. FDA regulations on surgical mask and N95 differently based on intended use.
5. It has closed facial efficiency filtration of airborne particles. It is use by healthcare professionals.
Similarities between the two. ( Surgical Mask and N95)
Both mask should not be reused.It is against the manufacturer standard. Even though some employers want to cut costs during the early period of COVID19.It should not be reused.
N95 and surgical mask are both tested for filtration efficiency and also for fluids and bacteria resistance.
fda.gov/medical-device-ppe-infection-control/n95.
Nurses You Move Me 