help finding "N95 mask fitting" thread

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I've been running several searches trying to find an old thread regarding fitting/ fit testing of the N95 or TB mask and I've come up fruitless. :Crash: I was hoping somebody else remembered this topic and could direct me.

( A little background: I was fit tested today for the blue N95 mask, but whenever I breathed out, my glasses would fog up :specs: and the nurse said it wasn't even worth testing with the saccharine. She said that that was the only brand that the hospital now carried, so I was out of luck. :o I seem to remember that this thread had a whole bunch of tips/ advice.)

Thanks in advance for any/ all help.

~Wave

P.S. Thought I'd branch out a little and insert a few Smilies. Livin' on the Edge! Oh! Baby!

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Specializes in ICU, Agency, Travel, Pediatric Home Care, LTAC, Su.

Hi there. It took me a little bit of creative searching on allnurses, but this is the most recent thread I found:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/tb-mask-fit-testing-97734.html

"A little background: I was fit tested today for the blue N95 mask, but whenever I breathed out, my glasses would fog up and the nurse said it wasn't even worth testing with the saccharine. She said that that was the only brand that the hospital now carried, so I was out of luck. I seem to remember that this thread had a whole bunch of tips/ advice."

First question I have for you is did they try different sizes of the blue N95 masks? they generally come in small, medium, and large.

If they did NOT, they need to do that.

If they DID, and none of them work I would have it documented that you could not get a good fit on any of them. Then, I would stay OUT of any room requiring me to wear one. Yes, this may even mean refusing to take care of a patient in negative air flow isolation. Next, I would be having a chat with my nurse manager about the above information. And if she does not give you any answers, going up the chain of command. If the hospital is going to require that you take care of patients where you may need an N-95 mask, then they are obligated to carry ones that fit you.

You could be proactive and research different brands of N-95 masks on the web and print them out and have them with you as examples of other kinds of masks available. The only other N-95 mask that I am aware of other than the blue one, is the duck bill style, that I believe is orange.

See my next post below for more information on N-95 mask supplier.

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Specializes in ICU, Agency, Travel, Pediatric Home Care, LTAC, Su.

This is information I found off the web on Kimberly-Clark's website. I tried repeatedly to search for the Duckbill N-95 mask. I am about 99.9% sure that they do carry it. I would call or email them and ask them. Then, if they did I would ask them to send you a sample and product information. I hope this helps:) Keep me posted on how it goes. Safety patient and staff is key!

Kimberly-Clark Health Care

1400 Holcomb Bridge Road

Roswell, Georgia 30076

1-800-KC HELPS (1-800-524-3577)

[email protected]

Kimberly-Clark/Ballard Medical Products

1400 Holcomb Bridge Road

Roswell, Georgia 30076

1-800-KC HELPS (1-800-524-3577)

[email protected]

U.S. Sales and Distribution

Toll Free: 1-800-742-1996

International Sales and Distribution

[email protected]

Email

U.S. Inquiries: [email protected]

International Inquiries: [email protected]

Customer Service: [email protected]

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Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.

When I was fitted (for an office job) our N95 masks were from 3M in MN. Hope this may help. They were white.w/yellow straps.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Our N95 masks are made by 3M. In order for my mask to fit properly, i have to criss-cross the straps on the back of my head.

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.
She said that that was the only brand that the hospital now carried, so I was out of luck.

So, what does that mean?

Where I work ppl that can't wear the N95 where this gas mask looking thing. It's a white hood with a little compressor. I know any guy with a beard can't wear an N95.

Are you sure you pinched it well enough over the nose. Did you have the one strap high on your head (over the occiput).

Good luck!

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First, thanks for your reply, suemom2kay. The last thing I want to be doing as a new nursing associate is to be turning down assignments for any reason other than it is beyond the scope of my practice. the same for when I graduate and start my nursing practice. So, believe you me I pinched the nose piece hard enough, on two different [same size] masks. I tried a small size mask also, but it was obviously way too small and I didn't bother adjusting it any further. I suggested tying the elastic to force a tighter seal, but the fit tester said that wouldn't help, that it was due to the shape of my nose. She did mention this hood with a small backpack, but didn't go into any details, let alone even show me what one looked like.

~Wave

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Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.

That sounds like the 3M N-95 mask to me. It has a little box like thing on the mask itself. Just a thought.

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Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.

I just googled 3M N-95 masks and it came up with a great assortment. Check it out.

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I'm not sure how you found this, every search I ran kept coming up with any thread that had the word mask in it. thanks again!

~Wave

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i think that was the thread i posted-i had previosuly failed the N96 fitting because i could always taste the sweets or bitters. Although, why do you need to wear your glasses when you are tested with the hoo?. when you wear the n95 mask it doesn't go over your glasses.

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Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.
I'm not sure how you found this, every search I ran kept coming up with any thread that had the word mask in it. thanks again!

~Wave

Hey you,

I left this site and went straight to the internet. Used google and put in 3M N95 masks. I choose not to use the one within the allnurses.com, as it seemed u were having trouble. As far as getting fitted with glasses, I would talk to the safety manafer or occ health or whoever is doing the testing. Maybe suggest a different brand such as the 3M and see if u get a possible result. Good Luck.:balloons:

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