Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search


Español  Other Languages


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
 Search
		×
			NIOSH
			NIOSH
				All CDC
				Submit
			For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
			Advanced Search
		Advanced Search


The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL)








The Respiratory Protection Information Trusted Source										Related Pages
					Healthcare Setting Specific FAQsGeneralWhat is a surgical N95 respirator?
	Surgical N95 filtering facepiece respirators are commonly used in healthcare settings. These respirators provide healthcare personnel protection from both airborne and fluid hazards (e.g., splashes, sprays). Therefore, use of these respirators outside of healthcare settings is not necessary. The NIOSH Science Blog describes how NIOSH works with the Food and Drug Association to approve/clear surgical N95 Respirators.
To find NIOSH-approved Surgical N95 respirators, use the Certified Equipment List or the NIOSH table of Surgical N95 Respirators.What is the difference between a surgical mask and a N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FFR)?
	Surgical masks are loose fitting and provide only barrier protection against droplets, including large respiratory particles. Surgical masks do not require fit testing. N95 FFRs are tight-fitting respirators and require fit testing. These respirators filter out at least 95% of particles in the air, including large and small particles.
For more information, see the NIOSH infographic, Understanding the Difference between Surgical Mask vs. N95.Is a surgical mask an N95 respirator?
	No. Surgical masks do not have the same protection level as particulate respirators like NIOSH-approved N95 respirators. Surgical masks provide barrier protection against droplets including large respiratory particles.
For more information, see the NIOSH infographic, Understanding the Difference (Surgical Mask vs N95 Respirator). The NIOSH Science Blog, N95 Respirators and Surgical Masks, provides more information.Can I use a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) in the operating room?
	Studies on PAPRs are ongoing at this time. Professional judgement suggests PAPRs as an alternative for operating room staff who cannot pass a fit test with an N95 respirator. The PAPR should vent under the shroud in which exhalation gases vent underneath the gown. Ensure you can wear the PAPR shroud in this fashion (under the gown) by checking the manufacturer’s instructions. PAPRs venting to the rear of the PAPR wearer likely provide less contamination to the surgical field. PAPRs venting to the front may contaminate the surgical field.
For PAPRs used in operating rooms, we suggest the following approach:
Identify a NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirator (e.g., N95) for which you successfully passed a fit test.
If (1) is not possible, choose a PAPR model capable of venting under the gown. First check the PAPR manufacturer’s instructions to verify they permit such use for that particular model. In addition, direct the PAPR blower/exhaust away from the sterile field.The Association for Peri-Operative Registered Nurses issued guidance on “3 Interventions When Using a Powered Air-Purifying Respirator in the OR.”Are respirators with an exhalation valve acceptable in healthcare settings?
	It depends on the type of respirator and the setting. Healthcare personnel (HCP) can use an FFR with an exhalation valve for source control. However, when it is important to maintain a sterile field, HCP cannot use an FFR with an exhalation valve. Source control refers to the ability to prevent disease transmission to others via the spread of respiratory secretions. A NIOSH technical report summarizes research on filtering facepiece respirators with an exhalation valve. Findings suggest FFRs with exhalation valves provide the same or better source control than surgical masks or procedure masks. This finding is the same even without covering the valve.
However, FFRs with exhalation valves are not fluid resistant. HCP should not use these types of respirators in situations requiring a sterile field. For example, during an invasive procedure in an operating or procedure room. The exhalation valve may allow unfiltered exhaled air to escape into the sterile field. In situations requiring a fluid resistant respirator (e.g., in surgical settings), HCP should wear a Surgical N95.
HCP should not use elastomeric respirators with unfiltered exhalation valves as source control in surgical and other healthcare settings. This is due to concerns that air coming out of the exhalation valve may contaminate the sterile field. The NIOSH Certified Equipment List identifies the elastomeric respirators without exhalation valves or with filtered exhalation valves. HCP can use both types in surgical settings.
Healthcare facilities may have their own policies regarding the use of respirators with exhalation valves. Check with your Occupational Health Clinic or Infection Control Staff to understand your facility’s policies.Can I use an N95 respirator between different Operating Room (OR) cases or from patient to patient?
	Respirators can become contaminated after each use. Ideally, you should discard used respirators after each patient encounter. When worn during aerosol-generating procedures, discard disposable N95 respirators after the procedure.
Healthcare facilities can extend the use of disposable N95 respirators by training personnel on extended use of respirators. This includes training on wearing them during consecutive patient encounters without removing or re-donning between encounters.How should I store my N95 between patient encounters?
	Manufacturers provide guidance for cleaning, sanitizing, repairing, inspecting, and storing their respirators. Refer to the manufacturer’s guidance. Pack or store the respirators so that they do not become damaged or deformed. Never store disposable respirators in pockets, plastic bags, or other confined areas.Is cross contamination a concern if I wear the same N95 from patient room to patient room?
	Yes, especially if you wear a respirator in a room with any type of aerosol-generating procedure. Or if your patient has a suspected or confirmed case of an infectious disease.What respirator is appropriate for surgical smoke?
	It depends on the type of cells and infectious agents contained in the smoke generated during the procedure. You should first incorporate control methods such as ventilation. Ventilation can reduce potential exposure of surgical smoke produced by the use of lasers. See the NIOSH publication, Control of Smoke From Laser/Electric Surgical Procedures for more information.
The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses has a resource on management of surgical smoke, including respiratory protection recommendations.What respirator is appropriate when treating active tuberculosis (TB) patients?
	A NIOSH-approved N95 respirator has the minimum filtration performance required when treating patients with suspected or confirmed TB. When the potential for TB exposure is high (i.e., aerosol-generating procedures), healthcare personnel may need a more protective respirator. For more information, see the CDC’s guidelines for preventing the transmission of TB in healthcare settings.Can I use a N95 respirator that is not a surgical N95 respirator in patient settings?
	It depends on the setting. You can use NIOSH-approved N95 respirators to reduce your exposures to hazardous particulates in a patient setting. However, you should wear NIOSH-approved surgical N95 respirators when working in a sterile field. If you’re exposed to high-velocity splashes, sprays, or splatters of blood or body fluids, wear a surgical N95 respirator.Additional ResourcesInfographics
	NIOSH Reach II Study: Understanding and Selecting Respiratory Protection Devices (2014)
Respirator Use and Infection Control in Healthcare (2015)
Key Requirements of a Respiratory Protection Program (2015)
Considerations for Respirator Selection in Healthcare (2017)
Understanding the Difference (surgical mask vs N95 FFR) (2018)
Understanding the Difference (surgical masks, N95 FFRs, and Elastomerics) (2019)NIOSH Documents
	Respirator Awareness: Your Health May Depend on it (2013)
Hospital Respiratory Protection Program Toolkit (2015)
Implementing Hospital Respiratory Protection Programs: Strategies from the Field (2015)
Preparedness through Daily Practice: The Myths of Respiratory Protection in Healthcare (2016)NIOSH Webpages
	Healthcare Respiratory Protection Resources
NIOSH Surgical Smoke
NIOSH TuberculosisEducational Resources
	Respiratory Protection Education & Resources Web kit
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  July 5, 2022						Source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
					Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate homeNPPTL
What’s New on the NPPTL Websiteplus icon
NPPTL What’s New Archives
A to Z Index
Respiratory Protection Videos
Resources for Mine Workers
Resources for Emergency Responders
Respirator Approval Programplus icon
Respirator Approval Information
Respirator Standards
Respirator User Notices
Resources and Technical Support
Post-market Evaluations
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
NPPTL Fact Sheets
Healthcare Respiratory Protection Resourceplus icon
Policies and Procedures
Program Administrator
Evaluation and Selection
Medical Evaluation
Fit Testing
Proper Use and Storage
Training
Program Evaluation
Recordkeeping
Support for Firefighter Personal Protective Equipmentplus icon
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatusplus icon
Program Overview
Evaluation Process
Completed Reports
Resources
Firefighter Turnout Gearplus icon
Current Projects
Completed Projects
Participation on Standards Setting Organizations
Resources
Considerations for Selecting Protective Clothing
NPPTL Participation in Standard Development Committees
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
Healthcare Setting Specific FAQs
Approved Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirators
Certified Equipment List (CEL)
PPE CASE Reports
Respirator User Notices
Meetings, Webinars, & Conferencesplus icon
Archived Meetings and Conferences
Conformity Assessment Notices and Letters to Respirator Manufacturers and Interested Parties
About NPPTL
Contact NPPTL Connect with NPPTL Subscribe to Listserv
PPE concerns? Contact Us
 Follow NIOSH Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube
 NIOSH Homepage NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs
Contact NIOSH


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue