Over the summer, our Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) Team launched a summer fit testing campaign which ran from June to August. It was a friendly competition to see which area could achieve the highest compliance after the three month period.

The competition had 15 wards and departments participating and the aim was to improve FFP3 mask compliance in areas, so they are prepared for the autumn and winter respiratory virus season. Compliance means that everyone is protected, including patients and colleagues.

The results were recently reviewed, and the winning ward was the respiratory floor (5ABCD) at CRH. They managed to increase their compliance to 100%, meaning all 125 colleagues are fit tested to wither two masks or the new PAPR (hood). Matron Lead for IP&C, Belinda Russell, presented the respiratory team with an award for their fantastic achievement. 

Respiratory Protection Equipment Support Worker, Nicola Lear, said: "It is important for all clinical staff to be compliant with fit testing and to only wear the FFP3 mask that they are fit tested to.

"We chose the areas in the campaign as they are deemed high risk and most likely to nurse patients with respiratory viruses that would require a FFP3 mask. The respiratory isolation signage gives staff a clear overview of what PPE they must wear."