N95 masks commonly called “particulate respirators”. “N” means ‘Not resistant to oil’, “95” refers to 95% filter efficiency.
DONNING AN N95 MASK:
Procedure:
1. Select the N95 mask that you were fit tested for. Inspect the mask to ensure that it is not damaged.
2. Place mask over nose, mouth, and chin. Ensure that the bottom flap pulled out completely.
3. Secure the lower elastic at the top of your neck and the upper elastic above your ears, at the back/top of the head.
4. Adjust for a comfortable fit.
5. Place fingertips of both hands on each side of the metal nosepiece. Beginning at the bridge of the nose, work your way down the cheeks molding the
flexible nosepiece to create a snug fit. Pinching the nosepiece using one hand may result in an improper fit.
6. Perform a fit check.
a. Inhale rapidly – mask should collapse slightly
b. Exhale – use hands to check for leaks around the face
If air leaks around the nose, adjust the nosepiece as described in step 5. If air leaks at mask edges,
adjust straps back along the sides of your head. Perform a fit check again.
REMOVING AN N95 MASK:
Perform hand hygiene using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
The contaminated part of the mask will be the outside front of the mask, so remove using the elastics at the
back of the head/neck.
Lift the bottom elastic over your head.
Without touching the material at the front of the mask, lift the top elastic off your head.
Discard the mask. You can reuse your N95 mask (limited re-use: multiple encounters with the same patient as long
as it remains functional and used in accordance with local infection control procedures. Change
when it gets soiled or distorted in shape. It should not be shared).
Perform hand hygiene.