Nurses and nursing students will learn how to properly don (put on) and doff (take off or remove) an N-95 mask. This article and video will demonstrate the proper technique for how to wear an N-95 mask.

• Donning And Doffing Surgical Mask
• Mask Donning And Doffing Instructions Ppe

For proper instructions, proper fit. Surgical Mask Donning Instructions. Open The Mask Pull at the top and bottom to open the pleats or chamber. Pre-Bend The Nosepiece. Place The Mask On Your Face Place the mask on your face making sure to cover your nose. Tie At The Head Crown Bring both top ties to the crown of your head. Doffing or taking off PPE Surgical masks are single session use, gloves and apron should be changed between patients. Snap or unfasten apron ties the neck and allow to fall forward. Now wash your hands with soap and water. Perform hand hygiene using alcohol hand gel or rub, or soap and water. Perform hand hygiene Remove surgical mask.

What is an N-95 mask? It is a special type of mask worn by nurses or other members of the healthcare team to prevent the transmission of airborne illnesses.

Instructions for Medical/Surgical Mask Use and Reuse To Doff Facemask with Intent to Reuse 1. Perform hand hygiene 2. Remove medical mask by holding the ear loops. The front is contaminated, so remove. Please see next page for donning/doffing steps when only gown & gloves are being replaced. ☐ Inspect each part of the mask for any defects (i.e. Cracks, tears, dirt, deformities, etc.) ☐ Assemble and attach filters as per manufacturer’s instructions ☐ Label storage bag with your name and place EHFR inside until ready to use WHEN READY TO USE: Follow PPE DONNING protocol ☐ ☐ Engage peer support to ensure proper donning. Medical Face Mask. Is a term used to refer to either procedure or surgical masks being used as part of the Provincial Personal ProtectiveEquipment Requirements. Refers to the practice of doffing a piece of equipment, storing it securely, and re-donning it during the same shift in accordance with an SOP. IMPORTANT POINTS.

When is a nurse required to wear an N-95 mask? This mask must be work when dealing with patients who are in airborne isolation…examples:

• Herpes Zoster (Varicella Zoster)(disseminated) Shingles (Airborne and Contact)
• Measles (Rubeola)
• Tuberculosis

Mnemonic to help you remember:

Airborne Chicken Number 95 Dissected Her Tubby Mealworm

Airborne: type of isolation precaution

Chicken: Chicken Pox (Varicella)

Number 95: N95 mask…special PPE you must wear at all times

Dissected Her: Disseminated Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

Tubby: Tuberculosis

Mealworm: Measles

Video Demonstration on How to Don and Doff an N-95 Mask

How to Don (Put on) an N-95 Mask

Donning And Doffing Surgical Mask

Before donning any type of respirator, always follow the manufacture’s instructions and your facility’s protocols for being fitted for a respirator. This is usually performed yearly, but it can vary among different facilities.

1. Perform hand hygiene.
2. Hold the respirator in one hand, with the front of the respirator touching the inside of your hand. The metal nose piece should rest near the fingertips. Be sure the top and bottom straps of the respirator are hanging down below your hand and are not tangled or twisted.
3. Take the respirator and place it over your nose, mouth, and under the chin. Hold the respirator in place with one hand.
4. Use your free hand to place the straps on your head. It’s very important the straps rest on the head and are NOT overlapping or tangled.
5. First, take the top strap of the respirator and place it just past the top of your head, above the ears.
6. Then take the bottom strap of the respirator and place it around the bottom of the head, just below the ears.
7. To ensure a proper seal of the respirator around the nose area, use the fingertips of both hands to bend the metal nose piece around the nose, starting in the center and working your way outward on each side.

Seal test for N-95 Respirator

This is performed to check if you donned the respirator correctly and to make sure it does NOT leak air. Always follow the manufacture’s guidelines for this part because different brands vary on their seal test guidelines.

1. Place both hands over the respirator.
2. Take a sharp breath in and make sure that the respirator is sealing over the face during this inhalation.
3. Keep both hands on the respirator and breathe out. While breathing out feel for any air leaking around the nose piece and around the respirator’s perimeter.
   • If air is leaking around the nose piece, try re-bending the nose piece with both hands and recheck the seal.
   • If air is leaking around the respirator’s perimeter, try adjusting the straps and recheck again, making sure the respirator is not being affected by any piercings, facial hair, or glasses, which could prevent a proper seal.

NOTE: If the respirator still leaks after this, you may need a different size or type of respirator. Do NOT use the respirator if a proper seal has not been obtained.

How to Doff (Take off) an N-95 Respirator

Two important concepts to remember

• The mask is considered contaminated…therefore, do NOT touch this part when removing the respirator.
• The straps of the mask are considered clean…therefore, only touch the straps when removing the respirator.

1. Grasp the BOTTOM strap of the mask and lift it over the head.
2. Then grasp the TOP strap of the mask and lift it over the head.

Mask Donning And Doffing Instructions Ppe

3. Dispose or reuse* the mask per facility’s protocol.

4. Perform hand hygiene.

*Reusing the mask may not be applicable. ALWAYS check your facility’s protocol for the proper steps.

References:

Before Putting On the Mask:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
2. Inspect your respirator for any damage or potential contamination. If it appears damaged, replace it with a new one.
3. Make sure that no hair, facial hair, jewelry, clothing, glasses or anything else is preventing a proper seal between your face and the respirator mask.

CDC Hand Washing Information – CDC Hand Washing Video Tutorial

Putting On the Mask:

1. Hold your respirator in your palm with the nose piece at your fingertips.
2. Cup the respirator to your face, holding it under your chin with the nosepiece up. Make sure the straps are hanging below your hand for easy access.
3. Depending on the type of mask you are using, either loop the straps around your ears, or pull the top strap to the top back of your head and the bottom strap around the neck below your ears. Make sure you do not cross your straps. Adjust them to ensure a close fit to the face.
4. Place your fingertips from both hands on the metal nose clip and slide them down both sides to mold the mask to the shape of your nose.

Checking the Seal:

For the most effective filtration, N95 respirator masks should form a proper seal around your mouth and nose. To check that there are no leaks in your seal, follow these steps:

1. Place both hands over the mask and breathe in to ensure that the respirator seals tightly to the face.
2. Completely cover the mask with your hands and exhale. If you feel air leaking out around the nose or chin, there is not yet a proper seal.
3. If a leak was felt around the nose, adjust the nosepiece to fit more closely to the face. If air leaked from around the edges, adjust the straps so that the mask fits snugly to the face.
4. Retest for leakage and readjust until a proper seal is achieved.

Taking Off the Mask:

DO NOT TOUCH THE FRONT OF THE MASK DURING REMOVAL. Follow these simple steps to safely remove your respirator:

1. If you’re using a mask with top and bottom straps, start by pulling the bottom strap over the back of the head followed by the top strap. If you are using an ear loop mask, simply hold the ear straps and pull away from the face.
2. Holding the mask by its straps, discard in a waste container.
3. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.