Penn State Health expands use of N95 masks in response to improved supplies

In the early phases of the pandemic, severe shortages of N95 masks required strategies to extend their usage.

While a degree of conservation is still prudent, the domestic supply of N95 masks has increased in recent months, and Penn State Health is able to make the following changes:

• For staff providing care to patients with confirmed or suspected COVID, a new N95 mask can be obtained for each shift. At the end of the shift, the N95 may be discarded.
• “Rest” strategies are no longer necessary. See this link for more detail.
• The newest practice change to now be implemented is in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Health recommendations that state N95 masks (or PAPRs) are to be worn during the care of all patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. This new policy applies regardless of whether an aerosol-generating procedure is being performed. As before, employees should also wear face shields if not using a PAPR, as well as gowns and gloves.

Surgical/procedure masks, combined with this other equipment, provide excellent protection; however, N95 masks provide a tighter fit and higher filtration. Routine use of N95s when caring for these patients is yet another layer of defense against potential risks of the evolving pandemic (e.g., COVID-19 variants that are not fully understood).

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