To protect health workers from COVID-19 infection in the workplace, it’s not just important to have an adequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). Ensuring quality and proper use of these PPEs is vital, too. For this reason, the Hospital Infection Control Unit of the Philippine General Hospital has been very aggressive in its campaign to perform fit testing of N95 and KN95 respirators among all health personnel designated to work in the hospital’s COVID areas.

Fit testing ensures that your respirator fits your face snugly. The test normally takes only ten minutes, and it allows you to select the most appropriate respirator for you. There should be no gap between the respirator seal and your skin so that the respirator will function as intended, whether it’s N95 or KN95. In its website, the CDC has always stated that properly fitted N95 and KN95 respirators provide equivalent protection.

PGH has received thousands of KN95 masks from our generous donors. The different variants are inspected, and only those that pass this initial quality screening are used for fit testing. After a successful fit test, HICU will provide you with your own pack of KN95 masks. Departments are advised to get in touch with HICU to confirm their respective schedules. 

Dr. Ronnie E. Baticulon and Dr. Regina P. Berba
Published in Healthscape Special COVID-19 Issue No. 5