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The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL)








HEALTHCARE RESPIRATORY PROTECTION RESOURCES						Print
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Hospital Respiratory Protection Program Toolkit
This toolkit was developed to assist hospitals in developing and implementing effective respiratory protection programs, with an emphasis on preventing the transmission of aerosol transmissible diseases (ATDs) to healthcare personnel.
Healthcare personnel are paid and unpaid persons who provide patient care in a healthcare setting or support the delivery of healthcare by providing clerical, dietary, housekeeping, engineering, security, or maintenance services. Healthcare personnel may potentially be exposed to ATD pathogens. Aerosols are particles or droplets suspended in air. ATDs are diseases transmitted when infectious agents, which are suspended or present in particles or droplets, contact the mucous membranes or are inhaled.
Implementing Hospital Respiratory Protection Programs: Strategies from the Field
Protecting workers from exposure to all types of respiratory hazards is an important issue for hospitals and other healthcare organizations. In order to address this often overlooked danger, The Joint Commission and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) have collaborated to develop a new educational monograph designed to assist hospitals in implementing their respiratory protection programs (RPPs).
Respirator Awareness: Your Health May Depend on it
One of the occupational hazards in the healthcare setting is the airborne transmission of certain infectious diseases. The potential of exposure is not limited to physicians, nurses, and support personnel in direct patient care. It extends to those delivering food, cleaning patient rooms, and performing maintenance. Anyone working in areas with patients infected with airborne-transmissible diseases is potentially at risk.
Preparedness through Daily Practice: The Myths of Respiratory Protection in Healthcare
Evidence from surveillance studies indicates gaps in hospitals’ respiratory protection programmatic operations and healthcare workers’ (HCWs) marginal compliance with respiratory protection recommended practices. Improper use of respiratory protective devices (RPDs) may expose HCWs to infectious respiratory illnesses. In this document, NIOSH addresses common myths related to respiratory protection and provides information to reinforce respiratory protection program administrator responsibilities and HCW knowledge concerning the proper use of these devices so that they can be prepared for the next public health emergency and best protect themselves in daily practice.
TB Respiratory Protection Program in Healthcare Facilities
This manual is designed to serve as a practical guide for those individuals responsible for initiating and running a TB respiratory protection program in health care facilities. The information in this manual remains current and viable in 2012.
California Toolkit: Respirator Use in Healthcare Workplaces
Evaluations of respirator use in California hospitals conducted during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and the 2010-11 influenza season showed that some hospitals could use help to improve the effectiveness of their respirator programs. The Toolkit was developed to provide useful tools and resources for California hospitals to reinforce and strengthen the respiratory protection programs. The guide covers key requirements of the Cal/OSHA Respiratory Protection and Aerosol Transmissible Diseases standards, guidance on developing and evaluating a respiratory protection program, and information on the selection and use of respirators. The tools and resources are now available through links within the electronic version of the guide itself. While directed toward California, the tools provide a useful resource for the nation as NIOSH NPPTL continues to work toward developing more generalized tools.InfographicsInfographic - NIOSH Reach II Study: Understanding and Selecting Respiratory Protection Devices
**NIOSH Reach II Study: Understanding and Selecting Respiratory Protection Devices** (2011-2012)
Infographic addressing situations that require respiratory protection and whether an N95 FFR or a surgical mask should be utilized.PDF [445 KB], Image [1,940 KB]Infographic - Required Labeling of NIOSH-Approved N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators
**Required Labeling of NIOSH-Approved N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators** (2014)
Infographic depicting the required labeling for all NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirators.PDF [488 KB], Image [1,968 KB]Infographic - Respiration Fit Test Requirements
**Summary of Respiration Fit Test Requirements** (2015) Infographic explaining who needs to get fit tested, how to get fit tested, and the required follow up.PDF [1,123 KB], Image [962 KB]Inforgraphic - Important Steps for Using NIOSH-Approved N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators
**Important Steps for Using NIOSH-Approved N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators** (2014)
Infographic listing five important steps for those who rely on a N95 for protection.PDF [711 KB], Image [4,807 KB]Infographic - It's Not What You Think! N95 Myth v/s Fact
**It’s Not What You Think! N95 Myth v/s Fact** (2103)
Infographic breaking down three myths about N95 respirators.PDF [551 KB], Image [3,271 KB]Sequence for Putting on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
**Sequence for Putting on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)**
Infographic detailing the proper sequence for donning PPE.PDF [3 KB], Image, Page 1 [131 KB], Image, Page 2 [277 KB], Image, Page 3 [265 KB]Infographic - Three Key Factors Required for a Respirator to be Effective
**Three Key Factors Required for a Respirator to be Effective** (2018)
Infographic explaining how a respirator should be worn and the filtration efficiency needed for it to be effective.PDF [1,853 KB], Image [160 KB]You've just completed your Annual RESPIRATOR TRAINING ... inforgraphic
**You’ve just completed your Annual RESPIRATOR TRAINING...**(2016)
Infographic identifying questions employees should be able to answer upon completing their annual respirator training.PDFpdf icon, Imageimage icon
Español – PDFpdf icon, imagenimage iconInfographic - Understanding the Difference
**Understanding the Difference**(2018)
Infographic breaking down the differences between a surgical mask and a N95 respirator.PDFpdf icon, Imageimage iconUnderstanding the Difference (surgical masks, N95 FFRs, and Elastomerics) - Infographic
**Understanding the Difference**
(surgical masks, N95 FFRs, and Elastomerics)
Infographic breaking down the differences between a surgical mask, N95 respirator, and elastomeric respirator.PDFpdf icon, Imageimage iconFact SheetsCover page for fact sheet 2018-128
**Filtering Out Confusion: Frequently Asked Questions about Respiratory Protection, Respirator Reuse and Extended Use** (2018)PDF, ImageCover page for fact sheet 2018-129
**Filtering Out Confusion: Frequently Asked Questions about Respiratory Protection, Fit Testing** (2018)PDF, ImageCover page for fact sheet 2018-130
**Filtering Out Confusion: Frequently Asked Questions about Respiratory Protection, User Seal Check** (2018)PDF, ImageBlogs
Proper N95 Respirator Use for Respiratory Protection Preparedness
When outbreaks of infectious disease occur, we rely on healthcare professionals to care for those affected, putting themselves at increased risk of exposure to the pathogen causing the disease.
Training Opportunities
AAOHN Healthcare Workers’ Respiratory Protection Training
AAOHN Respiratory Protection Education & Resources Webkit
Institute of Medicine (IOM) Reports
Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs) and Respiratory Protection: Improving Education and Training – Letter Report
At the request of NPPTL, the IOM Committee on the Respiratory Protection Curriculum for Occupational Health Nursing Programs examined existing respiratory protection curricula in occupational health nursing programs and made recommendations to improve the education and training of OHNs. The IOM identified essential content that should be included in education and training programs for OHNs and the best approaches to teaching that content.
Videos
Respirator Safety: Donning (Putting on) and Doffing (Taking off)
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  February 5, 2021						Source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
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PPE CASE Reports
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Respirator Assessments to Support COVID-19 Responseplus icon
Beyond Shelf Life/Stockpiled Assessment Results
International Assessment Results
Decontaminated Assessment Results
Non-NIOSH Approved Innovative Filtering Facepiece Respirator Assessment Results
Protective Clothing and Ensembles
Personal Protective Technology Program
NIOSH Respiratory Protection Week 2023
NPPTL Infographics
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Healthcare Respiratory Protection Resourceplus icon
Policies and Procedures
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Self-Contained Breathing Apparatusplus icon
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Participation on Standards Setting Organizations
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Considerations for Selecting Protective Clothing
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Respiratory Protection Information Trusted Sourceplus icon
Types of Respiratory Protection
Use of NIOSH-approved Respirators
Frequently Asked Questionsplus icon
Respirator FAQs
Fit Test FAQs
NIOSH Approval FAQs
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Approved Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirators
Certified Equipment List (CEL)
PPE CASE Reports
Respirator User Notices
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Archived Meetings and Conferences
Conformity Assessment Notices and Letters to Respirator Manufacturers and Interested Parties
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