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COVID mask fitting
Quality, Safety, Security

Get your mask tested for COVID season

It’s the only way to know — for sure — if you’re protected

Knowing your mask is worth wearing means having it tested. 

Gaye Moffett has been conducting these tests for more than 20 years and has fit-tested more than 50,000 people. She learned how in 2003 when the original coronovirus landed in Canada: SARS.

It’s one reason her staff were outfitted with masks that met that standard throughout the pandemic, but Moffett says this test isn’t just for healthcare providers.

GEM will test anyone who wants to ensure their mask has the quality and fit they need to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Which mask do I need?

The key to ensuring your mask works is material and fit.

Cloth masks — as well as the blue surgical masks — won’t cut it.

What you need is an N95 mask that has been fitted to your face. Moffett recommends 3M manufactured N95 masks, the company that invented the test during SARS.

She cautions against using similar products, but says some can still work with an adjustment.

“While the KN95 masks can be effective, we found that the straps were failing,” said Moffett. “But if it’s what you have on hand, you can wear an ear protector to extend the life of the straps and make it more comfortable.”

How do I know if my mask works?

There are two aspects to a functioning mask: materials and fit.

The test 3M invented for their own products involves using a spray that doesn’t smell very good. 

“It’s Bitrex, the same non-toxic but bitter-tasting substance people use to stop biting their fingernails,” said Moffett.

Anyone wearing a cloth or blue surgical mask can detect the bitter scent because those masks don’t provide an adequate seal. 

And if someone wearing an N95 mask can smell it, there’s a problem with fit.

Who can get their mask tested?

During the pandemic, GEM tested masks largely for healthcare and construction workers.

Today, people who need the test may be living or working with someone who’s vulnerable to COVID, or vulnerable themselves.

That’s why any member of the public can get their mask tested for a fee. Getting tested costs $64.50 if you bring your own mask, and $70 when you buy a mask from GEM.

“The entire process takes 20 minutes from start to finish,” said Moffett. 

The only masks GEM tests are: 

  • 3M™ full and half 6100 mask series
  • P100 North full and half mask Series
  • Scott AV 3000 respirator

Contact GEM to set up an appointment with their mask-fitting clinic on Tuesdays and Fridays.

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Home care, Quality, Safety

Buyer beware! Four questions to ask about qualifications before welcoming a home care worker into your home

Buyer beware! Four questions to ask about qualifications before welcoming a home care worker into your home">

For seniors and other folks who need support to live at home, finding the right mix of home care services can mean the difference between autonomy and dependence.

That’s why it’s so important to choose the highest quality people to support you.

But how can the average person screen highly-trained health professionals, especially in a world with “disruptors” entering the home care space? 

The good news is that no one can stop you from asking questions, and any agency that doesn’t provide thorough answers is waving a red flag saying “buyer beware”.

Two areas in particular where you need trustworthy information are around qualifications and safety & security. We’re publishing posts that cover each topic, starting with qualifications.

Asking about qualifications isn’t just about understanding an agency’s basic standards. It’s also an opportunity to ask about specialized skills that meet your particular needs. 

Here are four questions we think you should ask:

1.What are the minimum requirements you require to add home care staff to your roster?

The answer to this question will give you a baseline regarding their post-secondary education and licensing requirements. 

You can also use this information to see if the rest of the answers are consistent with their baseline.

2.How does your company verify credentials? 

Look for employers who require their staff to provide proof of their diploma or degree, as well as any specialized certificates they’ve earned. 

They should also be confirming the credential was granted by an accredited institution. 

3.What training requirements do you have for your home care staff?

Here you’re looking for basics like CPR and First Aid., as well as skills that are specific to your particular needs, like mobility assistance.

You’re also looking for in-house training that ensures staff are familiar with internal policies and procedures as well as relevant legislation.

And don’t forget to consider management training. The tone of their responses will show how much experience they have operating within a complex health-care system.

Do they come across as an agency that will take responsibility for problems that may arise, or the kind that passes the buck and blames their staff? 

4.Do you provide professional development and training for the staff on your roster?

A commitment to providing professional development that ensures their skills are up-to-date is another answer to look for. It shows an understanding that investing in their staff is necessary to provide continuous quality care.

It also gives you the opportunity to let a home care agency know they could be missing a particular skill set that a prospective client needs.

There are no cookie-cutter solutions

So consider the answers to these questions to be a starting point. 

Any successful home care plan starts with a thorough assessment from a licensed health-care professional who will link you to the right mix of services to help you stay at home for as long as possible. 

Because the last thing you want is a home care provider who doesn’t know what they don’t know.

* Stay tuned for our next “buyer beware” post about safety and security.