Transmission Precautions: Are You Wearing the Right Face Mask?

Throughout history diseases such as pneumonic plague, smallpox, tuberculosis and pandemic flu have had a profound impact on worldwide morbidity and mortality.  Advances in respiratory protection have contributed towards an effective means to control and prevent the spread of these and other diseases transmitted via droplets and droplet nuclei. It must be emphasized however  that the effectiveness of this respiratory protection – whether it be a facemask or respirator – is dependent upon appropriate selection, donning, wearing, and removal. In this program, the impact of droplet and airborne transmission of infectious diseases and the types of respiratory protection used in healthcare will be discussed. The appropriate selection, wearing and use of respiratory protection will also be addressed.

Objectives:

• Explain the impact of droplet and airborne transmission of infectious diseases
• Describe types of respiratory protection used by healthcare personnel
• Identify appropriate respiratory protection for droplet and airborne precautions
• Discuss appropriate wearing and use of respiratory protection

Sponsored by:

Speaker:

Kathleen B. Stoessel RN, BSN, MS
In her current role as Senior Manager, Clinical Education for Kimberly-Clark Health Care, Ms. Stoessel is responsible for the development and presentation of continuing education programs for healthcare professionals. She serves as an internal consultant and is a professional speaker who presents nationally and internationally on clinically related topics. Ms. Stoessel's clinical and education specialist expertise is based on her 24 year career as a Navy Nurse Corps officer.

This activity has been submitted to the Arizona Nurses Association for approval to award contact hours. The Arizona Nurses Association is accredited as an approver of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.