N95 Fit Testing is due by Dec. 6

The following email was sent to medyr2ad on Nov. 6, 2024

This message is intended for students beginning or continuing in Patient Care Phase clerkships in AY 2025-26. E23 MSTP students and E23 students who will be on a leave of absence for the entirety of AY 2025-26 are exempt from this requirement.

Deadline

The deadline for completing this requirement is NO EARLIER than 11/08/2024 and NO LATER than 12/06/2024 , regardless of when you are starting your first PCP clerkship.

Where to get masks:

  • Please contact your WWAMI office to obtain respirators for your fit testing appointment.
  • If you will be fit tested at one of the Seattle N95 Mask Fit Testing events in T553 HSB, respirators will be provided onsite.
  • If you are going to Concentra in Seattle, you can obtain respirators from the A300 HSB front desk.

 Instructions for fit testing:

  1. First, see the “where to get masks” section above.  The SOM will supply the following models: 3M 9210, Halyard Regular, Halyard Small.  Reply to this email if you think you will fail on these models. We have additional models we can send you.  Most vendors will ask you to bring your own N95s for the fit test. The SOM will supply the following models:  3M 9210, Halyard Regular, Halyard Small.  Reply to this email if you think you will fail on these models.  We have additional models we can send you. Most vendors will ask you to bring your own N95s for the fit test.
  2. Print out the “3M Medical Clearance for Respirator Use” letter that 3M emailed to you and bring it with you to your fit testing appointment. 3M medical clearance letters can also be downloaded from your Evalue Personal Records under “N95 Respirator Clearance”. Expanded E20 students can find their clearance letter in their Castlebranch UW71 tracker.
  3. Here is a resource to help you locate a vendor in the WWAMI region: “WWAMI Fit Testing Locations 2024“. The fit tester should complete the “External Fit Test Record” form.
  4. If in Seattle, sign up for an appointment at the on-site event:  https://calendly.com/bzada-uw/2024-seattle-n95-mask-fit-testing-appointments. Dates for Seattle fit test events:  Nov 15, Nov 19, Nov 21, Nov 22.
  5. For info about the fit testing event in Moscow, contact Marlane Martonik at marlanem@uidaho.edu
  6. For info about the fit testing event in Bozeman,  contact Kayla Ouert at kayla.ouert@montana.edu
  7. Alaska students – look for an email I sent to your listserve on 11/6/24.
  8. After your fit test is completed upload your N95 fit testing documentation here:  https://forms.office.com/r/ahVQMDFa4v.
    1. Documentation must include the following information:
      • Your name
      • Vendor/Facility or Company name/location/phone or email
      • Respirator make/model
      • Qualitative or Quantitative fit test
      • Pass/Fail
      • Fit tester name/signature
      • Date of fit test

9. If you fail your fit test on all 3 models, please contact Laura Ellis lbellis@uw.edu for other options.

  1. Religious accommodations can be requested by emailing Laura Ellis lbellis@uw.edu.
  2. In order to be compliant with the N95 fit testing requirement you will need to have completed the pre-requisites which are:  3M N95 medical clearance, N95-PAPR online training.  Check previous emails for instructions.  We will also follow up with non-compliant students.

Costs:

The cost of N95 fit testing can vary depending on the vendor and location (see WWAMI Fit Testing Locations document attached).  Cost is a student responsibility. The SOM does not reimburse. However, if you are receiving financial aid, you can request that the expense be added to your budget by contacting the Financial Aid Office somfao@uw.edu.

Let me know if you need my assistance.

Laura Ellis

Compliance Director
Student Affairs | UW School of Medicine