The number of times your N95 respirator can be reused is changing from up to 14 days to five shifts. This change is based on CDC guidance and new research findings. More details:
The number of times your N95 respirator can be reused is changing from up to 14 days to five shifts. This change is based on CDC guidance and new research findings. More details:
- Caregivers who DON’T turn in their N95 respirator for reprocessing should reuse it for five shifts, unless it becomes wet, soiled, or fails the caregiver’s inspection. If the N95 is in good condition, follow extended use guidelines and store it carefully in a brown paper bag. N95s that pass user inspection and seal check can be reused for up to five shifts. If the N95 isn’t worn during a shift, that shift isn’t counted toward the five-shift limit.
- Caregivers who turn in their N95 respirator for reprocessing and disinfection should continue to turn it in at the end of every shift, unless it becomes wet, soiled, or fails user inspection. N95s turned in for disinfection and reprocessing that hit the five-shift mark will be disposed of and the caregiver will be notified. N95 respirators that pass user inspection and pass user seal check can be reused for up to five shifts.
When should you discard your N95? Prior to every use, you should carefully inspect your N95 respirators for wear or damage that could affect the seal and perform a seal check. Be sure to evaluate the strap to make sure it isn’t stretched and the respirator still fits tight enough to pass a seal check. Also inspect the nose-clip, any soilage, and overall integrity of the N95 before each use. If your respirator is unable to pass a seal check, looks worn or damaged, is visibly soiled, wet, or hard to breathe through, please throw it away and get a new one.
Whether your respirator is reprocessed or reused, physical deterioration occurs and is dependent on the N95 model, the number of donning cycles, and the number of minutes used. CDC guidance and literature suggests that the number of reuse cycles may need to be significantly less than two weeks in order to ensure ongoing fit of the reused N95 that may undergo physical wear including stretching of the strap.
Remember to remove any makeup that will stain your N95 respirator before using. If your N95 respirator is stained, it can’t be reprocessed and will have to be thrown away.
For more information about reprocessing N95 in your area or unit, please check with the reprocessing/disinfection Champions for your facility on the N95 Reprocessing Point of Contacts List.
Conserving these supplies is an important part of our PPE strategy. Thank you for doing your part to help conserve valuable PPE resources to ensure caregivers have the PPE they need.
Helpful links: Preserving the life of your N95 respirator | Using a brown bag with handles for N95 re-use and disinfection