Comment from Montgomery, Chris; Austin / Travis County EMS

Regarding fit-testing N-95 respirators (N-95 filtering facepieces). In a perfect world, fit-testing N-95 respirators is appropriate. The reality is that the vast majority of healthcare organizations do not have the resources to properly fit-test N-95 respirators for all employees who use them. Requiring fit-testing of these devices for all users will significantly detract from other, more effective, infection control efforts. Fit-testing N-95 respirators should be a recommendation rather than a requirement. I propose a hazard-based approach. Employees who regularly engage in aerosol-generating, cough-inducing, or other higher-risk procedures should use fit-tested N-95 (or tight-fitting elastomeric air purifying respirators). Employees who use N-95 respirators for lower-risk procedures should not be required to be fit-tested. The employeer should determine which activities/employees are included in the "higher-risk" category.