Any respirator use requires the completion of the questionnaire; reviewed by a licensed health care professional. N95’s are fit tested; PAPRs are not. If there are yes answers on the questionnaire then the reviewer can decide to examine the employee to ensure they are fit to use a respirator. I have the employees complete the questionnaire annually. That way you know if something has changed that may affect their ability to wear a respirator.
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net]
On Behalf Of Senior, Cathy (DRMC)
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2014 1:37 PM
To: 'MCOH/EH'
Subject: [MCOH-EH] PAPR USE IN ACUTE CARE SETTING
We use Max Air System Powereed Air Purifying Respirators at our facility. Recently it was brought to my attention that these can not be used in the operating room or the MRI dept. Therefore we started doing fit testing for these departments so they can use the N95 mask. We do the OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire for all employees however I wanted to know do other facilities just to the questionairre for only employees who use the N95 or for all employees?
Cathy Senior RN BSN CDE
Employee Health Director
Penn Highlands DuBois
100 Hospital Avenue
P.O. Box 447
DuBois Pa 15801
Phone 814-375-3392
Fax 814-372-2610