Singh Thattha technique to pass facemask fit test - Sikh Doctors and Dentists Pilot Study Success

FFP3 masks provide much needed protection against Coronavirus in aerosol generating environments, however before this facemask can be used in clinical setting it needs to be properly fit tested for the wearer. Current Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines around fit testing for respiratory protective equipment (RPE) require individual being tested to shave facial hair prior to being tested. Presence of facial hair deems the individual to have failed the test, even before starting a fit test, which is not recommended to be carried out in people with unshorn facial hair. This presents a challenge for many health professionals for faith groups such as Sikh, Muslim and Jewish groups. The Singh Thattha technique is an innovative solution developed by Dr Rajinder Singh, and was put to the test in a Pilot study using the much more robust Quantitative fit testing method. This method usually carries a much higher failure rate even for clean shaven individuals compared with qualitative fit testing, which is more widely employed within the NHS for health and dental professionals. We hope this this pilot study run by SDDA in collaboration with other faith-based health organisations will pave the way for HSE to revisit it's existing guidelines around fit testing for FFP3 type facemasks. More information about SDDA (UK) available at:   / uksikhdoctors   www.sdda.org.uk