A Dear Provider Letter dated 9/14/2023 was issued to give information on provider responsibilities related to:
- Provision of PPE in Long-term care (LTC) settings.
- Employer responsibilities for respiratory protection and RPP.
- Changes to the Department of Health (DOH) RPP resources and support.
All LTC settings have requirements to prevent the spread of infection by following nationally recognized infection control standards. This includes providing staff with respiratory protection and PPE.
PROVISION OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IN THE LTC SETTING
LTC setting providers are required to supply gowns, gloves, masks, respirators (if needed) and eye protection to staff who are providing care to residents or clients who have a known or suspected communicable disease.
EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES FOR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION AND RPP
Employers are responsible to identify respiratory hazards in the workplace, provide appropriate respiratory protection equipment, and follow regulations pertaining to respiratory protection.
WAC 296-842 Respirators
OSHA 1910.134 – Respiratory Protection
The end of the public health emergency (PHE) did not end the need for protection from
respiratory viruses that are spread through droplets or air.
CHANGES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RPP RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
During the PHE, DOH provided RPP resources for fit testing, medical clearance, training, policy template and consultation support for the rules and regulations of respiratory protection. The
WA DOH RPP support will be changing in the following ways:
3M Online Medical Evaluation changes:
- After December 29, 2023, DOH will no longer cover the cost of 3M medical evaluations.
- To prepare for this change, DOH will stop accepting requests to set up new accounts for
providers in 3M after November 30th, 2023. - Providers that have a 3M account as of December 1, 2023, will have until December 29,
2023, to get their accounts up to date and have their staff complete their medical
evaluation.
- To prepare for this change, DOH will stop accepting requests to set up new accounts for
- Starting January 2, 2024, providers wanting to stay with 3M, will need to prepay for their
medical evaluations.- Each medical evaluation will cost $29 and there is no expiration date for unused medical
evaluations. - Providers may continue to use the same login to access their account.
- Each medical evaluation will cost $29 and there is no expiration date for unused medical
Fit Testing and Fit Tester Training:
- Fit Testing: DOH no longer provides fit testing.
- Fit Tester Training: Provider can learn how to conduct their own fit testing.
- DOH will provide Fit Tester Training until June 30, 2024.
- Providers are encouraged to access the Fit tester training resources now, before this
service ends. - If Fit Test training support is needed after attending the DOH Fit Tester Training webinar,
please complete this form.
Consultation Support:
To assist facilities with the requirements for their respiratory protection program DOH will provide the following webinars until June 30, 2024:
- Every Tuesday at 3 p.m. – Respirator Program Template and N95 User Training Review
Class – Webinar Registration – Zoom - Every Friday at 10 a.m. – How to navigate the 3M Online Medical Evaluation System –
Webinar Registration – Zoom - Every 3rd Wednesday of the month at noon – DOH HAI/AR Occupational Health Team
Lunch & Learn – Meeting Registration – Zoom - Twice a month – Respirator Fit Tester Training for Long Term Care Facilities – Visit our fit testing training website: Fit Testing Training | Washington State Department of Health
The PHE and COVID-19 pandemic brought forward the need for adherence to infection control standards and respiratory protection program requirements. Many lessons were learned that carry forward into our daily work.
Please click here to read the entire Dear Provider Letter and reach out to the AFH Council if you have questions about these requirements.
