Improper N95 Respirator Use by Bearded Staff
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s infection prevention and control program related to improper use of N95 respirators by staff with facial hair. During an unannounced complaint visit focused on infection control, an LVN was observed wearing an N95 respirator that did not have a tight seal to his face because of his beard. The LVN reported having attended an in‑service in February 2026 on infection control, including proper use of PPE, handwashing, and N95 donning and doffing, yet the respirator still did not fit properly due to facial hair. The observation showed that the N95 was not achieving the required tight seal as intended for effective use. Later the same day, the SSD was observed near Nursing Station 1 removing an N95 respirator and discarding it, then placing a new N95 respirator on his face. The new respirator also did not achieve a complete seal because it rested on top of his facial hair rather than directly on the skin. During an interview at the time of this observation, the IP stated she had not considered that the N95 mask would not allow for a complete seal with the SSD’s beard and acknowledged that the N95 would not provide protection due to the incomplete seal. The DON stated that staff had been instructed to check N95 masks for proper seal by checking for air leaks at the bridge of the nose. Review of the facility’s Infection Prevention and Control Program policy showed that the program was intended to prevent transmission of communicable diseases by educating staff and ensuring adherence to proper techniques, and by providing PPE and checking for its proper use, but staff practices observed did not align with these requirements.
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