KN95 mask?

Nurses COVID

Published

How is a KN95 mask supposed to be equivalent to an N95 mask when I can feel air leaking out of the front,near my chin? They are one size fits all. I cant even tighten up the strings.

I work in a LTC facility on floor with Covid patients only.

We get 1 KN95 mask/shift

Specializes in Peds, MS, DIDD, Corrections, HH, LTC, School Nurse.
On 7/1/2020 at 9:09 PM, EllaBella1 said:

You should still be fit tested. If it doesn't fit you well and you fail the fit test then you need to talk to your manager and refuse to take covid patients until they provide you with a mask that protects you.

A KN95 mask is not considered a tight-fitting respirator and therefore does not require a fit test per OSHA regulations. A KN95 is not equivalent to a N95, this is something a lot of facilities are not comprehending before they order these masks, my facility included.

2 Votes
Specializes in Peds.

So apparently a KN95 mask and an N95 mask have the same filter performance at greater than or equal to 95%

0 Votes
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
5 hours ago, Runsoncoffee99 said:

So apparently a KN95 mask and an N95 mask have the same filter performance at greater than or equal to 95%

I was under the impression that there wasn't real difference between the masks.

0 Votes
Specializes in Long term care.
On 6/28/2020 at 6:36 PM, Marisette said:

It's definitely worth looking into Osha requirements in your state to see if your work place is following acceptable guidelines and If not, report this.

This facility IS following "acceptable" guidelines.....acceptable to whom, I don't know...

0 Votes
On 6/28/2020 at 12:40 PM, Missingyou said:

I was wondering the same thing. From the very beginning of wearing KN 95 masks in my long term care facility we, as CNA s, are going into patient rooms caring for " actively positive patients" rooms with a mask that is not fit tested to us....wearing gowns that have been hanging outside patient rooms to be reused for 5 days.

.....we get 1 mask every 5 days (often 12 hour gifts) in & out of covid positive rooms & into other patient rooms.....wearing the same mask.....for 5 days before getting a new one.

....am I missing something?

Do you cover your KN95 with a surgical mask? That's what we do, and dispose of the surgical masks on the end of the shift. 

The KN95 is nowhere near as good as an N95 because you can't get fitted for it/it comes in one size fits all. But it's better than nothing I guess. 

 

0 Votes
Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.
On 7/15/2020 at 10:34 AM, toomuchbaloney said:

I was under the impression that there wasn't real difference between the masks.

There is a huge difference between an N95 and a KN95. The KN95 allows air to come in around the mask; a properly fitted N95 mask does not allow this.

When you wear a KN95, do your glasses fog up? This is proof that you have an air leak.

OK, if you don't wear glasses, ask a coworker who does.

I agree with NewRN'16, the KN95 is better than nothing. In fact, I'd say it's most likely better than a surgical mask. But it is not enough to protect you from a virus that is at least partially airborne.

0 Votes
Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

The KN 95 is a toy N95 but it is a lot cheaper and easier to find.

2 Votes
Specializes in Long term care.
On 7/1/2020 at 9:09 PM, EllaBella1 said:

You should still be fit tested. If it doesn't fit you well and you fail the fit test then you need to talk to your manager and refuse to take covid patients until they provide you with a mask that protects you.

Uh, if I refuse to take covid patients until they provide me with a "proper" mask they would insist the reused KN95 IS within Guidelines. If I refused, they escort me off the premises & I'm without a job..... I work in a nursing home with seniors who have dementia & covid....not in  a hospital on a covid floor....apparently there is a difference. 

0 Votes
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