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3M Medical
Clinician wearing PPE with a patient

Respiratory Protection for Healthcare Workers

  • Helping Protect You, So You Can Protect Them

    Your safety is essential in order to deliver care to your patients. Even in a time of constrained resources, you show up for them. You care for them. You protect them. As we navigate through this time of change together, we share a common goal: Making respiratory protection the highest priority.

    You rely on us for respiratory protection. We continue to increase production to meet ongoing demand as you continue care and as elective procedures return. It’s all part of our shared mission to transform outcomes, which starts with helping protect you, so you can protect those in your care.

    Learn more about PPE for health care workers. (PDF, 11.1MB)

General information about PPE

  • Clinician wearing PPE speaking with a patient
    PPE Questions and Considerations

    We know you have questions related to PPE. We are here to provide guidance on the different types of PPE and its proper use.

    Read more.
  • Clinician wearing PPE speaking with a patient
    Selecting the right respirator

    Our shared mission to transform outcomes starts with helping to protect you, so you can protect those in your care. To that end, we offer a range of respiratory protection options for healthcare professionals.

    Read information on use of FFP2/FFP3 respirators.
  • Clinician wearing PPE with patient
    PPE and Skin Protection

    Explore some simple ways you can minimise skin breakdown from the extended use of PPE.

    Learn methods to reduce your risk of skin breakdown.
Clinician wearing PPE speaking with a patient
PPE Questions and Considerations

We are here to answer your questions on using a Surgical Respirator or Surgical Mask, fit checking and other considerations to help protect yourself. We will continue to update site with new information.

Frequently asked questions on PPE use and equipment

  • What is the difference between a surgical respirator and a surgical mask?

    Surgical masks are loose fitting masks which are designed to protect a patient or an aseptic environment from particles expelled from the wearer, in addition they can be used as a fluid barrier. A surgical respirator has a tight fit and it can do exactly what we described for surgical masks (eg. protecting a patient and/or an aseptic environment) in addition to all that, a surgical respirator will also protect the wearer against potential respiratory hazards.

    Surgical respirators are tight fitting and designed to protect both the wearer and the patient or aseptic environment; surgical respirators are dual certified EN14683 & EN149.

    Learn More (PDF, 238KB)

  • A Type I mask is allowed to have a lower bacterial filtration efficiency (outward leakage) than a Type II mask.

    The required minimum bacterial efficiency for a Type I mask is 95%, for a Type II mask that minimum is set at 98%.

    In EN14683 it is also mentioned that Type I masks should only be used for patients and other persons to reduce the risk of spread of infections particularly in epidemic or pandemic situations.

    This means that Type I masks are not intended for use by healthcare professionals in an operating room or in other medical settings with similar requirements.

  • All filtering facepiece respiratory protective equipment (medical as well as non-medical) need to be CE certified in accordance with the PPE regulation EU 2016/425, (the EN149 test standard), surgical masks are CE certified in accordance with the Medical Device Regulation EU) 2017/745 (the EN 14683 standard). Medical respirators are dual certified, meaning that they comply to both standards. Non-medical respirators might be worn to protect the healthcare worker, but they cannot be worn with the intention to protect a patient of an (aseptic) environment at the same time.

    Learn More (PDF, 115KB)

  • An reusable respirator is a reusable piece of personal protective equipment with exchangeable filters.

    The filters, when exposed to a bioaerosol, are normally single use – but when used against industrial contaminants they may be re-usable. However, the masks are designed to fit tightly to face and are able to be cleaned and reused.

    When properly selected and worn, reusable respirators (mask with filters) effectively filter airborne particulate hazards.

    Learn More (PDF, 281KB)

  • 3M™ Powered Air Respirators are battery-operated, reusable respirator systems that can cover the full face and neck additionally in cases where it is difficult or impossible to achieve propper facial fit. They’re typically worn in clinical or airborne isolation areas and provide respiratory protection from potentially infectious airborne particulates.

    Learn More (PDF, 281KB)

  • Surgical masks as well as respirators should be changed in between patients, if they are visibly soiled or wet and if they are damaged.

    Learn More (PDF, 283KB)

  • A homemade mask may help wearers remember not to touch their nose and mouth, and it may help contain spit or phlegm expelled by the wearer, similar to covering a cough or sneeze with a face tissue.

    However, homemade masks do not serve as respiratory protection and may not provide any measurable exposure reduction. They are not designed to reduce wearer’s exposure to airborne particulates, like government-approved respirators are.

  • N95, FFP2, FFP3 and similar respirators are designed to form a seal with the face. When a good seal is formed almost all of the air goes through the filter media. The filter media in filtering facepiece respirators uses non-woven fibrous filter media to capture particles. These fibres crisscross to form a web of many layers. Particles are trapped, or captured, by several different mechanisms as the airstream flows through the layers of filter media. Very large particles in the airstream will settle out due to gravity, other particles may impact a fibre and be captured, and very small particles are captured by diffusion.

    In Europe, filtering facepiece respirators are tested against EN 149:2001+A1:2009 and certified to the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation (EU) 2016/425. EN 149 includes many physical and performance factors including filtration efficiency, breathing resistance and total inward leakage. Tested and approved EN 149 tested respirators have a filtration efficiency of at least 94% for FFP2 and 99% for FFP3.

  • Tips to help avoid counterfeit products include:


    • 3M respirators should be sold only in 3M packaging, with model-specific user instructions accompanying the product.
    • 3M respirators should not be sold individually or without packaging (including User Instructions).
    • 3M has strict quality standards, and therefore products that have missing straps, strange odors, blocked valves, misspelled words, etc. are likely not authentic 3M respirators

    3M recommends purchasing our products only from a 3M authorized distributor or dealer, as that will increase the likelihood that you will receive authentic 3M products.

    If you are in doubt, please contact your 3M representative.

Selecting the right respirator

Selecting the right respirator

3M™ Health Care respirators and surgical masks do different jobs, depending on the situation and the respiratory protection you need. Be sure to take care of yourself and those around you by selecting the proper respiratory PPE. This guide is an overview to help you identify the hazard and assess the risk in your ICU environment (PDF, 154KB).

Respiratory protection in healthcare

  • how to wear a respirator

    How to safely wear a respirator

    Guide on Donning and Doffing Surgical Respirators (Video)
  • patient and doctor with a stethoscope

    Webinar: How to ensure the safe use of respirators in clinical settings

    At the end of this 30 minute course, you will be able to:


    1. Explain the differences between a respirator and a surgical face mask.
    2. Understand the importance of a good seal around your respirator.
    3. Apply and remove respirators safely.

    Click the registration link below to access the webinar on demand

    Access Webinar

Related resources

Frequently asked questions on use of filtering face piece respirators

  • How do I don/doff a used filtering facepiece respirator?

    Re-Don:
     

    1. Wash hands per facility protocol
    2. Apply clean gloves
    3. Inspect respirator for holes, tears or other damage or soiling to surface, straps, metal nose strip and nose foam. Get a new respirator if damaged or soiled.
    4. Hold the respirator in the palm of your hand with the straps facing the floor (If using a flat fold respirator; pull open the folds into a cup shape before placing in the palm of your hand).
    5. Place the filtering facepiece respirator on your face covering your nose and mouth. Avoid touching the inside of the respirator.
    6. Pull the upper strap and put it behind your head and place at the back of your head.
    7. Pull the bottom strap up and over top of your head and put it behind your head below your ears.
    8. Use both hands to mould the nosepiece to fit snugly against your nose and face. Perform a seal check according to manufacturer instructions to ensure there is a good seal against the skin.Wash hands per facility protocol
    9. Remove and discard gloves. Wash hands per facility protocol.

    Doff for storage and reuse:
     

    1. Wash hands per facility protocol
    2. Apply clean gloves
    3. Tilt your head forward. Then, with gloves on, use two hands to grab the bottom strap, pull to the sides, then over your head.
    4. Use both hands to grab the upper strap, pull to the sides, then over your head. Keep tension on the upper strap as you remove it, which will let the mask fall forward and be removed.
    5. Inspect respirator for holes, tears or other damage or soiling to surface, straps, metal nose strip and nose foam. Discard respirator if damaged or soiled.
    6. Place respirator in facility approved storage for reuse* and wash hands per facility protocol.
Clinician wearing PPE with patient

PPE and Skin Protection

Extended use of PPE, particularly devices like respirators and face shields, may impact skin and cause various levels of skin breakdown. Explore some simple ways you can help minimise skin breakdown when delivery care.

3M Health Care respirators and surgical masks do different jobs, depending on the situation and the respiratory protection you need. Be sure to take care of yourself and those around you by selecting the proper respiratory PPE. This guide is an overview to help you identify the hazard and assess the risk in your ICU environment." - please see "selection guide (PDF, 11.1MB)" from brochure page number 9.

Helping you face the challenge

Frequently asked questions on preventing PPE-related skin injuries

  • Can I use ointments (e.g. petroleum jelly) to protect my skin under a 3M filtering facepiece respirator (FFR)?

    3M does not recommend the use of petroleum jelly (also known as petrolatum), ointments, or thick creams because of the potential for interference with the seal of any of 3M’s respirators. Petroleum jelly may cause the respirator to slip around on the face.

  • Yes, Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film will help protect intact skin from moisture and friction and, when used properly, would not be expected to interfere with the fit1 of 3M respirators.


    • The 1ml wipe or 1ml wand applicator should be used
    • The product should be applied to clean, dry skin over any area where the respirator is likely to cause friction and/or where moisture may collect, e.g. the bridge of the nose, cheeks, tops of ears, or forehead
    • It can be used on the face, but should not be used in the eye, or on the eyelid
    • The product should be allowed to dry completely (at least 90 seconds) before the respirator is donned (put on). This allows fluid to dry on the skin and vapours to dissipate
    • Upon application, an odour may be noted as the solvent ingredient evaporates. The odour will disappear as the product dries
    • Always read and follow all respirator user instructions, including conducting a use seal check every time the respirator is donned (put on)
    • We recommend starting with a once daily application. If the user experiences buildup of the product, decrease the frequency of application, e.g. 3 times/week
    • Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film does not require removal but can be removed with a medical grade adhesive remover
    • Every time a respirator is donned, the wearer must conduct a user seal check. If a successful user seal check cannot be conducted, the wearer should not use the product with the respirator

  • 3M™ Cavilon™ Advanced Skin Protectant* can be used to help protect damaged skin, e.g. abrasions from friction or other superficial skin damage


    • The 0.7ml applicator is recommended
    • It can be used on the face, but should not be applied in or near the eye
    • The product should be applied in a thin layer
    • The product should be allowed to dry completely (at least 90 seconds) before the respirator is donned (put on). This allows fluid to dry on the skin and vapours to dissipate.
    • Upon application, an odour may be noted as the solvent ingredient evaporates. The odour will disappear as the product dries.
    • Always read and follow all respirator user instructions, including conducting a use seal check every time the respirator is donned (put on)
    • We recommend starting with a 2–3 times per week application. If the user notes buildup of the product, decrease the frequency of application, e.g. 1–2 times/week
    • Cavilon Advanced Skin Protectant does not require removal but can be removed with a medical adhesive remover containing hexamethyldisiloxane or a silicone
    • Every time a respirator is donned, the wearer must conduct a user seal check. If a successful user seal check cannot be conducted, the wearer should not use the product with the respirator.

  • The 0.7 ml** is preferred. If the 2.7 ml** applicator is used, the following steps are recommended to minimise fluid dripping or pooling during application:


    • Open and retain package nearby.
    • Activate the applicator and allow the foam to fill.
    • Press the foam applicator against the white package flap to express excess fluid.
    • Then, apply as indicated.
    **Single use only.

  • Once completely dry on the skin, Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film or Cavilon Advanced Skin Protectant is not expected to transfer off the skin onto respirators. However, 3M has not tested respirators for the presence of residual barrier film or skin protectant, or the impact that this material could have on decontamination processes.

  • 3M does not recommend use of dressings such as polyurethane foams and hydrocolloids. These types of dressings can raise the respirator off the cheeks and nose and may interfere with the intended seal and exposure reduction associated with the respirator.


    • If use of a dressing or bandage is desired, select the thinnest dressing available (e.g. 3M™ Tegaderm™ Transparent Film Dressing) and perform fit testing, as well as a user seal check every time the respirator is donned (put on)
    • Fit testing should be conducted following local regulatory requirements or recognised fit test protocol where fit testing is not required by local regulation
    • For those respirators with adjustable headbands, it is important to not over-tighten 3M respirators as this can interfere with the seal against the skin and increase the risk of pressure-related skin damage

    Note: Dressings or film barriers can be used to help prevent or cover areas of skin damage under equipment, such as face shields, where fit and seal is not critical to the function of the protective equipment.

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