Even more protective respirators are HEPA cartridge respirators which also require fit-testing. The drawback to all respirators is that the more efficient the respirator is in filtering the contaminant out, the more physiological demand it puts on the wearer's body. CDC recommends that health care workers who perform high risk procedures or attend to patients in isolation rooms wear some form of respirator. If health care workers must wear respirators, OSHA requires that the employer provide a fit-testing program, a comprehensive training program on proper use and maintenance and a medical surveillance program. Whenever possible, respirator use should be avoided.
Proper ventilation is far more effective in protecting workers.
The administrative control of choice for health care workers is effective isolation of undiagnosed patients with suspicious pulmonary symptoms. Immediate masking of undiagnosed patients with suspicious symptoms. A surgical mask will capture most of the sputum and droplet nuclei of patients. Masking of patients with active cases of tuberculosis during transportation through the facility to prevent the spread of droplet nuclei. When a health professional goes into a home of a person with suspected or confirmed tuberculosis, the worker should instruct the patient to cover coughs and sneeze.