Fit test infection control

In Arizona due to TB outbreaks from across the boarder. Most facilities in the health care world performed fit tests. These were simple tests to see what size mask or respirator mask you would need in the event of an emergency. Here in Oregon many folks have told me they didn't even know what I was talking about. This is concerning because we now have Ebola in the United States. The only educational nurse I have met was from a pharmacy up in Portland. Fit tests are used not only to teach staff how to utilize a mask but what size they should wear. Masks are not one size fits all in the arena of infection control unless it is a simple paper mask. As a health care worker I have become concerned employers are not doing enough to educate and train staff for an outbreak of any kind. Our first line of defense in the medical world is having properly trained staff and the lack of this is glaring around the nation as the CDC recently pointed out. If you are working at a facility that has not provided any training on PPE (personal protective equipment) it may be time to ask how we can help educate rather than try to deal with the infection control issue after we are in the middle of a crisis. As well as making sure there are the right supplies on hand if you do have an infection control problem for all the staff to use.