Re: Are You Using the Right Mask?

Visitors to patients have disregarded rules throughout time, and especially now, since respect for nurses is waining. It might be good to tell the visitors that observation cameras will record their refusal to obey the rules. When they bring the disease back to their reservation, they can be blamed for deaths that occur because of that...... Good acting is a requirement for that to have the desired effect.

Good luck!

Re: Are You Using the Right Mask?

" My understanding regarding the use of proper masks, is that a reliable patient who has H1N1 flu and who hasn't tubes sticking out of their mouths or tracheas (can't get a good fit there), should wear the properly fitted N95 mask when anyone else (including visitors) is present in the room. That catches infective particulates, etc.before they voyage onto another's nose or mouth. When staff or visitors enter the room, both should wear masks, and again if the patient is adequately N95 masked, the other person can wear whatever cheapo mask the hospital sees fit to provide. However, it should be noted that all masks must be changed when sufficient moisture accumulates in either mask, that microorganisms can be propelled faster through the material of the mask they're wearing (that's after sneezing or frequent productive coughing or 10 minutes, whichever comes first)."

Sorry - The proper use is the reverse rule : the patient wears (if he/she can support) a surgical mask tied in the right way; visitors wear the N95. the more tight sealed the mask, the more likely the patient will blow up it when couhing, talking, and makes the respirator leaks; non speaking of the uncomfort.

Re: Are You Using the Right Mask?

Originally Posted by janfrn

Since I last posted to this thread there have been some more changes to our battle plan. Our respiratory therapy manager is leading the charge to ensure that any and every person in a room with a suspect H1N1 patient wear full PPE - N95, gown, gloves and goggles. I've decided I'm not going to worry about the fit of my mask. I've been vaccinated and I'm going to wear the mask I was told fits me (8210) and do whatever else I can to keep myself healthy. Now that we've had our first death on the unit, people are taking it all a little more seriously. I just wish our management would restrict visitors...

Hi the 8210 is a good mask, similar to the green 1860,minus the extra green protective shield agaisnt the fluids, which is a +++ in bad penumonia/flu cases. But i suppose you wear the standard size; the 1860S, in "small" size is widely worn by female nurses, since it makes a tight seal to their face... Just a hint to try.