Personal Protective Equipment > Approved N95 and surgical masks
It is essential for school nurses, health personnel, and school staff to have appropriate PPE available when caring for students or staff who report COVID-19 like symptoms while at school. School nurses, healthcare personnel, and school personnel who are providing care for anyone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, need to be within 6 feet of sick school staff or a student or there is anticipated risk of splash or exposure to secretions should be provided appropriate PPE. Appropriate PPE includes an N95 or equivalent or higher-level respirator or a surgical mask if a respirator is not available.
Approved N95 (Medical Respirators)
A respirator is a type of face mask and an example of PPE designed to reduce your exposure to airborne contaminants.
Key Considerations:
- Approved N95 masks (respirators) are NIOSH approved.
- Use medical respirators for procedures that are likely to generate respiratory aerosols (e.g. tracheostomy suctioning). If not available, consider using a KN95 mask or surgical mask.
- Approved N95 masks must be used in the context of a comprehensive respiratory protection program (fit testing program) in accordance with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard, (29 CFR 1910.134). An N95 mask must be individually selected to fit tight to an individual’s face and to provide a tight seal.
- Explore the opportunity to work with the district to establish a respiratory protection program.
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, and other sources of authority, including district and school policies and procedures, and applicable standards of practice.
Approved Surgical Masks
A surgical mask is a type of face mask and PPE designed to help stop large particles being spread by the person wearing them. Surgical masks also keep splashes or sprays from reaching the mouth or nose of the person wearing them.
Key considerations:
- FDA approval of surgical masks signifies they have been tested for their ability to resist splashes of blood and body fluids.
- Only surgical facemasks that are cleared by the FDA may be legally marketed in the United States.
- Surgical masks are not considered respirators and do not provide respiratory protection.
- Surgical masks are not designed or certified to fit tightly against the face or to prevent the inhalation of small airborne contaminants.
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, and other sources of authority, including district and school policies and procedures, and applicable standards of practice.
*Face masks, respirators, or N95 masks with valves should not be used. They provide source control, however, do not prevent potential spread from the wearer to others.
NASN Resources
Facemask Considerations for Healthcare Professionals in Schools
Guidance for Healthcare Personnel on the Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Schools During COVID-19
CDC Resources
NIOSH- Approved N95 Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirators (table of respirators by manufacturer)
Understand the Difference (infographic)
Required Labeling of NIOSH-Approved N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators (infographic)
Other Resources
The Difference between Respirators and Surgical Masks | U.S. Department of Labor and OSHA (video)
N95 Respirators, Surgical Masks, and Face Masks | FDA
Personal Protective Equipment | FDA
Respiratory Protection standard | OSHA
Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidelines on Infection Prevention in Patients with Suspected or Known COVID-19
The Effect on Fit of Multiple Consecutive Donning and Doffing of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators | NIH
Resources Shared by School Nurses
See what school nurses have developed or are sharing in NASN's online discussions.