1. If you have stocked, or are intending to use NIOSH (N95)* respirators (respirators that have an adequate filtering system to protect you from influenza viruses), you are required by OSHA to have a written respirator program unless you make the wearing of these masks voluntary and not mandatory. You can speak with Barb regarding this. It is dangerous for some people to wear this respirator, especially those who have any respiratory or heart illnesses*.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that you will need: disposable latex gloves for the actual removal and standard issue surgical face masks for anyone who is ill in family.
2. Upon arriving at a residence for a removal, ask at the door if anyone in the home has been coughing or is ill with influenza-like symptoms. If so, ask that the coughing/ill person go into another room away from where you will be. Also, you may take standard issue surgical face masks that have elastic for around the ears and ask that the coughing/ill person wear it while you are in the home.
3. The standard surgical mask is designed to keep germs inside the mask and keep the spread of the virus contained within that area. On the other hand, the NIOSH (N95)* respirator is designed to protect the wearer from airborne viruses, therefore it has thicker filtering fibers causing more effort when breathing through it.
4. Try to avoid hand contact (shaking hands). During a pandemic, where many people in the community are ill, families will understand these procedures because they are aware of the extent of the illness. Limit your discussions with the families in the home to pertinent information, answering their questions, and setting appointment times.
5. When making the actual removal, make sure that the mouth and nose of the deceased has been covered with a sheet or blanket, or that a mask has been placed over their nose and mouth. This will contain any airborne germs if air is exhaled from the lungs of the deceased during the removal.
6. To ensure that you have appropriate gear needed for the removal, keep spare latex gloves, standard issue surgical masks, and hand sanitizer in your removal vehicles. Also, have a trash bag available so when you are finished, you can remove your protective gear and dispose of it correctly.
REMEMBER! YOUR FIRST AND BEST LINE OF DEFENSE IS FREQUENT AND CORRECT HANDWASHING TECHNIQUE.
USE SOAP AND RUB HANDS FOR A MINIMUM OF 20-30 SECONDS OR THE TIME IT TAKES YOU TO SING "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" TWICE. IF SOAP AND WATER IS NOT AVAILABLE, USE HAND SANITIZER THAT CONTAINS AT LEAST 60% ALCOHOL.
* Even if respirators are provided by the employer and the employee volunteers to use the respirator, the employee still needs to be given a copy of Appendix D "Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard" and they may also need a Doctor's approval that is filed with the employer. Contact Barb Garrison if you have any questions concerning the use of respirators or medical clearance.