Fit Testing In Aged Care & The Facts

Outbreak Reduction

40%

“A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in 2017 found that mask fit testing was associated with a 40% reduction in the risk of infection among residents of aged care facilities.
”
— Chen, M. J., Chan, C. P., Seto, W. H., & Leung, G. M. (2017). Effectiveness of mask fit-testing in healthcare workers. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 70(1), 34-39.

Staff Sick Leave

-15%

“The study was conducted in the United States and involved 1,200 nurses (long-term care facilities).
The nurses in the group that received mask fit testing had a 15% reduction in sick leave.
”
— Gandhi, J. H., Cohn, A. M., Lin, V. Y., & Ou, C. Y. (2019). The impact of mask fit testing on respiratory infection rates in long-term care facilities. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 61(10), 1859-1865.

Staff Infection Reduction

70%

“The Study conducted by Miller, Prather, and Robbins (2020), looked at 17 studies that had been published on the benefits of mask fit testing. The studies included a total of 11,751 participants..... found that fit testing can reduce the risk of respiratory infection by up to 70% ”
— Miller, S. E., Prather, J. A., & Robbins, J. B. (2020). The benefits of mask fit testing for the prevention of respiratory infections. American Journal of Infection Control, 48(10), 1217-1224.

Mask Fit Testing Services for Aged Care Facilities

N95 Fit Test specialise in providing high-quality mask fit testing services exclusively designed for aged care facilities in Victoria and interstate. We understand the importance of maintaining a safe environment for both staff and residents, and our goal is to facilitate this with our comprehensive services, we handle all staff bookings with our simple system with email + SMS reminders and QR code sign up posters to ensure minimal organisational impact.

We prioritise safety and well-being. Recognising the unique needs of aged care facilities, our team of experts ensures optimal protection through accurate mask fit testing. Fit Test with a RESP-FIT certified mask fit tester to ensure you get the best results and safety.

We deliver reliable solutions that comply with industry mask fit testing standards, fostering an environment where everyone can feel secure while ensuring compliance.

BONUS - We make sure staff know what masks give them the best protection by providing fit test cards and fit test certificates.

Safety in Aged Care

Mask fit test card for staff, N95 P2 Mask fit testing card

We pride ourselves on our high-quality services, stellar customer service, and extensive industry knowledge.

We understand that aged care is a 24/7 operation, as such we offer flexible scheduling on start times and weekend testing to ensure all AM, PM, Night Shift & Weekend staff can be mask fit tested during their shift.

  1. Onsite / On location fit testing of staff, making it easy for all staff to attend their fit test

  2. AIOH RESP-FIT certified fit testers means your staff are fit tested by the best

  3. Simple online booking system that allows for staff to select a time and date that suits them with SMS and Email reminders to ensure staff don’t forget their mask fit test

  4. QR Code posters & booking links to help staff book their N95 / P2 fit test

  5. Sample staff communications, we provide sample communications for your organisational SMS and Emails.

  6. Regular updates on booking numbers & daily clinic reports on mask performance to keep you up to date with clinic progression.

  7. Reports, we provide a report on all fit tests, attendance rates and key findings

And most importantly we work with you to ensure we get all staff get fit tested.

Why Choose N95 Fit Test for Your Aged Care Mask Fit Testing?

Mask fit testing station for fit test of P2 N95 Masks in Aged Care

Fresh data underscores the critical role of mask fit testing in aged care. Safe Work Australia's 2022 report indicated that merely 56% of aged care homes across Australia were routinely performing fit testing. In sharp contrast, a striking 97% of healthcare institutions outside of the aged care segment reported consistent fit testing practices.

The Urgency Highlighted by the Data

RESP-FIT Testing services
AIOH mask fit testing service

Don’t wait for WorkSafe, experience the difference that our services, exceptional customer care, and industry expertise can make, to keep your aged care SAFE & Compliant

Fit Testing Requirements
For Aged Care

  • WorkSafe Victoria

    Employees who need to wear a respirator in their workplace are required to undergo fit testing.

    "Fit testing should be conducted prior to the need to use a respirator so that a suitable respirator can be identified for the wearer. Fit testing is an important part of a respiratory protection program per AS/NZS 1715:2009." Work Safe Vic

    Link: WorkSafe

  • How prepared are you for an outbreak?

    “Are all staff trained in IPC and do they regularly practise PPE donning and doffing, including fit testing of P2/N95 masks”

    Standard 3
    (i) Is best practice; and (ii) tailored to their needs; and (iii) optimises their health and well-being.

    Link: How prepared are you for an outbreak

    Link:Update 15 November 2021

  • Protecting older Australians Update 15 November 2021:

    “ Staff who are trained to perform a 'fit check' must be followed up with 'fit testing' as soon as possible, and preferably within the next 6-8 weeks. Each RACF will need to develop an action plan to achieve this”

    Link: Protecting older Australians

  • The Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities states that aged care providers must "Ensure fit tested PFRs are available for all staff who may work within the resident zone" APPENDIX 5. C-19 Outbreak Management Checklist

    Link: CDNA

  • Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in the context of C-19

    • Fit testing, as defined in the Australian/New Zealand Standard 1715: 2009, is a validated method for matching P2/N95 respirators with an individual’s facial shape.

    • Fit testing should be performed by an appropriately trained person.

    • A range of styles and sizes of P2/N95 respirator may need to be fit tested to find one that achieves a protective seal

    • Health care workers who wear P2/N95 respirators should complete fit testing before first use, and perform a fit check properly each time they are used.

    Link: Infection Control Expert Group

  • Item D Action 3.07
    c) Processes for the use, training, testing and fitting of personal protective equipment by the workforce

    Example Evidence:
    1) Competent use, testing and fitting of personal protective equipment by the workforce
    2) Attendee logs and documented outcomes for workforce respirator fit testing

    Link: NSHQS

  • Item descr3.2.4 Airborne precautions:

    0.27) That a correctly fitted P2 respirator is worn when entering the patient-care area when an airborne-transmissible infectious agent is known or suspected to be present.

    The key aspects of applying airborne precautions relate to:Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (particularly correctly-fitted P2 respirators)

    LINK: Prevention & Control of infection in Healthcare

Many aged care providers are unaware that they are able to recover the cost of respirator fit testing through the Aged Care Support Program Extension Grant (GO4863) when in outbreak. Register via Gov Connect