N95s Should Be Worn to Prevent H1N1 Influenza Exposure, Says IOM Committee
| Date Posted: September 3, 2009 |
Health care workers should wear fit-tested N95 respirators when caring for individuals with the novel H1N1 influenza A virus or an influenza-like illness, an Institute of Medicine (IOM) committee said in a letter report released Sept. 3.
The IOM recommendation applies to workers in both hospital and non-hospital settings.
The committee's report reaffirms guidance issued earlier this year by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pointing to a "paucity of studies comparing the clinical effectiveness of respirators versus medical masks in preventing the transmission of influenza viruses," the committee said that current CDC guidance should be followed until or unless further evidence can be provided that other forms of protection or other guidelines are equally or more protective than the N95s.
"It is not the intention ... to recommend that all healthcare workers use N95 respirators, rather the use of respirators should be for those in initial contact with individuals presenting with unidentified febrile respiratory illnesses and those healthcare workers in close contact with individuals with confirmed or suspected [novel] H1N1," the committee wrote.
The report emphasizes that the use of respirators, although critical, is just one element in an overall infection control strategy that should include: innovative triage processes, handwashing, disinfection, gloves, vaccination and antiviral use. The committee acknowledged that policies on personal protective equipment may be influenced by the degree to which health care workers are effectively immunized with H1N1 vaccines in the coming months.
Copies of the report will be available from IOM at http://www.nap.edu or by calling 1-800-624-6242.
For more on this and other health care worker safety and health topics, see the October 2009 issue of the OSHA Guide for Health Care Facilities.
The IOM recommendation applies to workers in both hospital and non-hospital settings.
The committee's report reaffirms guidance issued earlier this year by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pointing to a "paucity of studies comparing the clinical effectiveness of respirators versus medical masks in preventing the transmission of influenza viruses," the committee said that current CDC guidance should be followed until or unless further evidence can be provided that other forms of protection or other guidelines are equally or more protective than the N95s.
"It is not the intention ... to recommend that all healthcare workers use N95 respirators, rather the use of respirators should be for those in initial contact with individuals presenting with unidentified febrile respiratory illnesses and those healthcare workers in close contact with individuals with confirmed or suspected [novel] H1N1," the committee wrote.
The report emphasizes that the use of respirators, although critical, is just one element in an overall infection control strategy that should include: innovative triage processes, handwashing, disinfection, gloves, vaccination and antiviral use. The committee acknowledged that policies on personal protective equipment may be influenced by the degree to which health care workers are effectively immunized with H1N1 vaccines in the coming months.
Copies of the report will be available from IOM at http://www.nap.edu or by calling 1-800-624-6242.
For more on this and other health care worker safety and health topics, see the October 2009 issue of the OSHA Guide for Health Care Facilities.
