N95 Fit Testing and Training Health Advisory for Healthcare Providers

Posted March 2, 2021. Past health advisories and alerts are archived for historical purposes and are not maintained or updated.

We are sharing information from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Labor & Industries (L&I) Fit Testing training webinars that were held on January 13 and January 20.

Included in this advisory:

1. For Everyone:
   1. Recordings of fit-testing webinars
   2. Fit Testing Resource links
   3. Accessing mobile fit testing
2. For those doing their own fit testing:
   1. Register for small group fit testing practice and coaching
   2. How to order a fit testing kit
   3. Accessing the 3M online medical clearance system

Webinar Recordings (for everyone):

• DOH/L&I training webinar
• Fit Testing demonstration videos:
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
• L&I video from University of Washington on importance of fit

Resources for Fit Testing (for everyone):

• L&I Consultation Requests
• L&I Respiratory Protection Plan Template
  • Alternatively, try accessing Washington State Department of Labor & Industries COVID-19 (Coronavirus) page, scroll to ‘Long Term Care Facilities’ and click on “Respirator Program Template and Guide for N95 use at Long Term Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic”
• CDC NIOSH Facial Hair Guide

Fit Testing Coaching & Practice:

DOH’s Occupational Health Nurse will provide small group coaching for facilities and agencies who are doing their own fit testing starting in February. These practice sessions will last for 1 hour, using Microsoft Teams. Participants will watch live demonstrations, and then practice fit testing skills and receive feedback. There will also be time for questions. Participants need to have a fit testing kit for the training sessions. Sessions will be offered again later this year.

REGISTER HERE

Order Fit Testing Kits:

Facilities with more than 20 staff who need fit testing can order fit testing kits from DOH. Contact carolyn.ham@doh.wa.gov and include the following information. (We do not recommend this option for smaller facilities.)

• Facility name
• Facility address
• Number of staff to be fit tested
• Contact person

Accessing the 3M Online Medical Clearance System:

Facilities that have a fit-testing kit can use DOH’s account for 3M online medical evaluations. Contact carolyn.ham@doh.wa.gov for instructions. For facilities who are contracting with a company to provide mobile fit testing at your location, they will manage the medical clearance process for you – please read below for more information.

Accessing Mobile Fit Testing (for everyone)

Beginning in January 2021, facilities and agencies in all counties in Washington state are eligible for no-cost fit testing through funding provided by DOH. Eligible facility and agency types are:

• Assisted Living Facilities
• Skilled Nursing Facilities/Nursing Homes
• Adult Family Homes
• Supported Living Agencies
• Home Care Agencies
• Home Health Agencies
• Hospice Agencies

Each county has a fit testing provider who is participating in the DOH N95 Fit Testing Project (see list below). Appointments with these providers will begin after February 1. Contact the fit testing provider for your county directly to schedule.

Need More Information or Further Assistance?

For specific questions about your agency or facility, requests for online medical evaluations ONLY (but do not need mobile fit testing), counties not listed above, and any other questions email carolyn.ham@doh.wa.gov.