Face fit testing for healthcare

Many of us remember needing to wear a face mask throughout the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020 but for some, the use of masks is still a part of their working life. All Healthcare Assistants at Absolute undergo face fit testing during their induction into the team. These are then repeated annually. Here, we will explain why this is vital for all working in the healthcare industry.

Why we do face fit testing

Wearing an FFP3 face mask can help to protect staff and clients, especially during times of year when illness is rife.

Although it may make sense for an initial test to be done to see how a mask fits on a Healthcare Assistant, we like to ensure this is done each year.

Consider how much a person could potentially change throughout the year in terms of:

Weight gain
Weight loss
Changes to face shape
Changes to jaw position, especially if teeth are lost

The loss of 8lbs could change your face to a degree that it is noticable to others. However, less than this could disrupt the way a mask fits.

A good piece of PPE shouldn’t allow for any gaps around your nose, mouth, cheeks, or chin. Facial changes can mean that a mask that fit you 12 months ago now won’t offer that same level of protection.

The face fit testing process

At Absolute, Hayley, Rachel, and Verity are trained in conducting face fit testing. We can see Hayley undertaking Rachel’s annual face fit to ensure that Rachel will still have protection, especially when visiting clients who may have contracted an infectious illness, particularly after a hospital stay.

Equipment

Bitrex solution
Nebuliser
Hood
FFP3 mask
Timer
Documentation form

Process

The individual in for face fit testing must not have eaten or drunk anything in the previous 30 minutes, except for still, plain water.
Fill the nebuliser with solution
Ask the individual to don the hood
Slowly spray Bitrex mist into the hood. If they can taste it between 1-10 sprays, their number is 10. Between 11 and 20 sprays results in a 20 score, and 21 to 30 is 30. If you have to spray more than 30 times, the test is automatically deemed as a fail.
Ask the individual to wash out their mouth and face with water. The test can only resume once they can no longer taste the solution.
The individual then puts their FFP3 mask on and dons the hood again.
They are walked through a series of tasks: breathing normally, deep breathing, moving the head from side to side, moving the head up and down, reading from a passage, bending at the waist, normal breathing.
Each task lasts one minute. For each task, the score number above denotes how many pumps of mist will be sprayed into the hood at the start of the minute. Half way through, half that amount will be resprayed. This means if you scored 10, 10 pumps will be sprayed, followed by a further 5. If you scored 20, 20 pumps will be sprayed, followed by a further 10. If you scored 30, 30 pumps will be sprayed, followed by a further 15.
At the end of the test, the mask must be removed, as part of the break test, to ensure you can then taste the solution.
Should the solution be tasted at any point throughout the test, then that mask has failed and you must restart with a different style of mask.

Using PPE

PPE is vital for a Healthcare Assistant to be able to keep themselves protected when helping clients. It also creates a barrier so the Healthcare Assistant can also minimise their chances of passing on any germs or infections.

Your kit bag (rucksack provided by AHPL!) will contain:

Standard face masks
FFP3 masks
Gloves
Aprons
Gown
A First Aid kit and book
Visor
Residual Current Device (RCD)
Large and clip-on alcohol gels
Personal safety alarm with light
HCA handbook
Staff ID badge
Black pen
Folder for all care documents

We ask staff to ensure they have an antibacterial hand soap and towel as well, for handwashing before, after, and between tasks.

Alongside this, uniform is also provided in the form of a tunic, polo shirt, and fleece.

Any additional PPE requirements, new uniform, or replacement items can be collected from the office at any point during opening hours.

The pros and cons of PPE

As with any type of uniform, there are pros and cons regarding its use.

Pros

Minimise the likelihood of germs spreading
Reduce the risk of contamination via bodily fluids
Allows for safe preparation and administration of both food and medication
Protects clothing

Cons

Not always eco-friendly as most PPE is single-use
Can be uncomfortable, especially in hot weather
May not be suitable for some individuals – those with respiratory conditions may not be able to wear face masks
Can lead to complacency if individuals feel PPE means they don’t have to maintain good hygiene or assess risks

Weighing these up can allow a healthcare business to figure out potential pitfalls and overcome them, making the service as safe as possible for staff and clients alike.

As an example, we overcome some pitfalls by ensuring that only staff who are suited to the PPE required are sent for certain client visits, and that hygiene and best working practice are constantly discussed.

A new role where face fit testing is undertaken as standard

If you want a career that has real meaning in the world and makes a difference to people’s lives, you should consider becoming a Healthcare Assistant with Absolute. We take health and safety seriously, as well as continuous workplace training.

A role with us could see you working with a variety of clients, from children up to the elderly, for personal care, medication management, food preparation, light household duties, and fun socialisation. At the heart of it all is dedication to maintaining and improving the quality of life for all involved, including you!