Attn: Assisted Living Providers
N95 Fit Testing Resources Available for Assisted Living Staff
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The CDC and OSHA recommend the use of a fit-tested N95 respirator by healthcare personnel caring for residents suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 to assist in controlling the spread among long-term care populations. In conjunction with the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene (WSLH), the Department of Health Services (DHS) will be providing respiratory protection resources for Assisted Living Facilities (ALF), including instructional videos on Respiratory Protection Programs and fit testing, a pre-fit test checklist, and other training webinars.
As part of this initiative, WSLH and DHS are also assembling fit testing kits for long-term care facilities without current fit testing capacity. Although N95 respirators are available, the kits to perform fit testing are in short supply, so the state is purchasing as many of the bulk supplies as possible and assembling fit testing kits with disposable hoods. We anticipate these fit testing kits will be ready to ship to facilities in February 2021.
In preparation for receiving a fit testing kit, facilities should review and complete the pre-fit test checklist. This checklist covers the range of respiratory protection processes associated with respirator fit testing and use, including developing a respiratory protection plan that aligns with OSHA’s requirements.
If you are interested in receiving an N95 fit testing kit, please complete and submit this brief survey by February 15, 2021.
N95 fit testing kits will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. If your facility would benefit from receiving a fit testing kit, it is important to complete the survey as soon as possible, and no later than February 15, 2021. There is a limited supply available and we will not have enough kits for each ALF at this time. As additional kits become available, we will continue to fill requests.
Thank you for your continued efforts and support.
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