The Ministry of Health has indicated that in the event of a local outbreak N95 masks are recommended for clinicians to use when taking swabs, or when seeing patients with respiratory symptoms or HIS criteria. N95 masks should also be used when seeing someone with HIS criteria in a confined environment.
N95 masks are recommended when dealing with people in poorly ventilated areas if they have symptoms / HIS ( the official advice is that they are NOT NEEDED if you are running a swabbing service in a car park.
Fit testing is recommended by health and safety regulators when a new brand of mask is used, and annually for all clinicians using N95 masks.
We've included a seal testing video to watch from YouTube for your reference.
See contact details below for advice about N95 fit testing.
It is expected most people will successfully fit the 3M 9320A+ Aura particulate respirator, however some will require different masks that provide a better fit.
To manage the supply of masks that are available, MOH suggest you fit test in the below order of mask priority. Following the sequential order below will mean they can systematically manage supply for the health and disability sector.
A similar process has been followed successfully within district health boards.
Please prioritise fit testing in the below sequential order when it is determined the 9320A+ provided does not fit.
These masks are available to order from the PPE portal. If you have already submitted a fit testing declaration, you do not need to complete the declaration again. You will of course need to ensure fit testing is undertaken before these masks are utilised in healthcare settings.
If you have any questions about PPE requirements, please contact COVID.HealthSupplyChain@health.govt.nz.
A message on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Health has put processes in place to verify that general practices and urgent care clinics have met the requirement for fit testing P2/N95 particulate respirators, prior to being able to use these masks in general practice and urgent care clinic settings.
A declaration form has been developed so clinics can receive P2/N95 particulate respirators from the Ministry’s PPE Central Supply.
The declaration form needs to be authorised by the either an owner, director, manager or clinical lead on behalf of the organisation and only needs to be completed once.
The form asks each general practice and urgent care clinic to declare that:
Please complete and return the signed declaration form (Word doc) to the Ministry of Health COVID Supply Chain email: COVID.HealthSupplyChain@health.govt.nz
If you have any questions about PPE contingency stock or about your PPE requirements, please don’t hesitate to contact: COVID.HealthSupplyChain@health.govt.nz.
Pinnacle can also provide information regarding the options for fit testing. Please get in touch via your practice development facilitator.
Fit testing kits are available to loan on a short term basis from Midlands Health Network in support of the N95 mask use.
We are pleased to now offer these kits for free to practices as a Pinnacle member benefit.
Instructions for return and cleaning of the kits is included in the fit kit box.
To access a loan kit please email Libby Harper, contact details below, and include the following details:
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has issued a science advisory acknowledging the airborne spread via aerosol of COVID-19. This has implications for PPE.
It makes sense to consider the space where you assess and swab people (with/without high index of suspicion criteria) and to make sure this space is well ventilated – this may mean having an open window and a floor fan.
The WHO recommend “a pedestal fan facing towards the window (ie. facing outside) serves to pull the room and exhaust air to the outside; a fan facing towards the interior of the room (ie. facing inside) serves to pull in the outdoor air and push it inside the room.”
The interim guidance on N95 masks published last month (see resources below) acknowledges this, stating clinicians need to assess the level of risk in their setting, and to use an N95 mask in the event of dealing with someone who is not fully immunised who has symptoms and a high index of suspicion, if in a poorly ventilated room, for > 15 minutes.
We continue to work on getting our practices set up to do fit testing of their staff, with much thanks to our own project manager Helen Terlesk, Liz Stockley at GPNZ and 3M.
Libby Harper, Practice Development Programme Support
libby.harper@pinnacle.health.nz
027 240 0956
Nikki Belfield, Practice Development Facilitator
nikki.belfield@pinnacle.health.nz
027 417 5617
During the COVID-19 lockdown virtual consultations for POAC cases were funded. We are pleased to announce that this will be a permanent change.
Read moreUse Āwhina to stay up to date on the latest COVID-19 information and receive notifications when content is added or updated.
Read moreThis funding is available for a consultation with a patient who requires an AstraZeneca vaccination against COVID-19.
Developing a pandemic plan will ensure a general practice is well equipped to manage the next pandemic. The plan will provide detail about how the practice will operate before, during and after a pandemic.