[MCOH-EH] [EXTERNAL] Advice regarding N95/KN95/KF94

[Swift, Melanie D., M.D., M.P.H.]

We are requiring medical type masks for patients and visitors, not respirators, for the same reasons you outline. Just enforcing the use of medical masks and not cloth masks or other face coverings is a challenge at times! Interesting that you mention this, in the recent OSHA hearings for informal comment on the proposed COVID-19 healthcare standard, there were proponents of KN95/KF94 masks for universal source control, to provide better containment without interfering with supply chain for NIOSH-certified N95s needed for healthcare workers. 

Melanie Swift, MD, MPH
(She/her)
Vice Chair, Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases and Occupational Medicine
Medical Director, Mayo Clinic Physician Health Center
Associate Medical Director, Occupational Health Service
Phone 507.284.2560
_______________________________
Mayo Clinic
200 First Street SW
Rochester, MN 55905
www.mayoclinic.org


-----Original Message-----
From: MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh-bounces+swift.melanie=mayo.edu at mylist.net> On Behalf Of Jayant via MCOH-EH
Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2022 7:59 AM
To: mcoh-eh at mylist.net
Cc: Jayant <jeldurkar at yahoo.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] [MCOH-EH] Advice regarding N95/KN95/KF94

Good morning colleagues,
As the recent variant has come through the community we have seen a significant uptick in cases in the community, the hospital setting and amongst our HCW workforce.  We implemented the use of N95 for HCW who are patient facing (clinical staff and administrative staff who will interact with patients).  Now there has been a question raised that all patients should also be wearing n95/kn95/KF94 or equivalent while in the inpatient or outpatient setting.  As a small group (OEM physician, Infection prevention, CNO, director of ED, CMO) we have not implemented the masks for patients.  Our reasoning thus far has been the increased stressors placed with the use of these respirators (especially when you are sick) and potential supply chain issues.  

Are there any of you who have implemented N95/KN95/KF94 use amongst the patient population?  Any feedback as to for or against use would be appreciated.  

Regards,

Jayant 

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