Hospital respiratory protection program toolkit : resources for respirator program administrators

Healthcare personnel are at increased risk for exposure to ATD pathogens and, when other controls have been considered and implemented as appropriate, may be required to use respiratory protection. In order for respirators to provide effective protection they must be properly selected, used, and maintained as part of a written program, which describes how employers will provide employees adequate medical evaluations, training, and fit testing. The program must be evaluated regularly through observation and obtaining input from all respirator users and persons involved in implementing the program. Public health guidance and regulations must be regularly reviewed for changes and utilized to identify tasks and pathogens requiring the use of respiratory protection.This document was adapted from a California-specific guide, Implementing Respiratory Protection Programs in Hospitals: A Guide for Respirator Program Administrators, May 2012, which was developed by the California Department of Public Health, Occupational Health Branch, and the Public Health Institute under contract no. 254-2010-345-11 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NIOSH-NPPTL). The guide was adapted under contract no. 254-2011-M-40839 from NIOSH-NPPTL to produce this toolkit.OSHA Publication Number 3767-05 2015NIOSHTIC No 20046220Abbreviations Used in the Toolkit -- Glossary -- Introduction to This Toolkit -- Why Hospitals Need a Respiratory Protection Program -- Types of Respiratory Protection -- Developing a Respiratory Protection Program -- Summary -- References, Resources, and Tools -- Appendix A. Clinical Syndromes or Conditions Warranting Empiric Transmission-Based Precautions Pending Confirmation of Diagnosis -- Appendix B. OSHA Assigned Protection Factors -- Appendix C. Respiratory Protection Program Evaluation Checklist and Instructions for Use ; RPP Evaluation Checklist Instructions -- Appendix D. Respiratory Protection Program Template for Hospitals