How to Wear a Mask "Use of masks in the context of COVID-19" ~ Nursing Guru

How to Wear a Mask "Use of masks in the context of COVID-19"

How to Wear a Mask

"Use of masks in the context of COVID-19"

The WHO recommends that the use of masks be considered as part of a comprehensive package of prevention and control measures to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Wearing a mask alone, even when worn correctly, is insufficient to provide an adequate level of protection or source control. Compliance with hand hygiene, physical distance of at least 1 meter, avoid touching the face, respiratory tag, adequate ventilation in indoor environments, testing, contact tracing, quarantine, isolation and other measures infection prevention and control (IPC) are essential in a set of measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 from person to person.

How to Wear a Mask "Use of masks in the context of COVID-19"

Why wear a mask?

Protection

Masks can be used to protect healthy individuals from becoming infected.

Source Control

A mask can be used to prevent transmission from the wearer who is infected and may or may not have symptoms.

Fabric masks

Fabric Masks are used for source control for the general public.

Medical masks and respirators

Medical Marks and respirators are used for protection and source control.

Type of masks & respirators

What type of mask to use according to the WHO guide on "Use of masks in the context of COVID-19"

  1. Respirator (N95, FFP2, FFP3)
  2. Medical mask
  3. Non-medical mask (Fabric mask)

Respirator (N95, FFP2, FFP3 or equivalent)

Definition

A filtering face piece respirator (FFR), or respirators, offer a balance of filtration and breath ability and filter out much smaller particles than a medical mask.

How to Wear a Mask "Use of masks in the context of COVID-19"

Purpose

  • Intended for use in health care by healthcare personnel.
  • For COVID-19 - Recommended for healthcare workers performing or in settings where aerosol-generating procedures are performed

Characteristics

  • Standardized according to international or regional standards
  • It is used for the protection and complete sealing of the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth.
  • Must be tested by OHS
  • Offers particle filtration efficiency ≥ 94%
  • Fluid resistance and good breath ability.

 Who should wear respirators

In any COVID-19 transmission scenario:

  • healthcare workers who perform aerosol generation procedures (AGP)
  • Healthcare workers in PGA settings
  • Used as part of PPE for additional transmission-based precautions (airborne precautions)
  • Healthcare workers may prefer to wear respirators over medical masks due to personal preferences.

Medical mask

Definition

A medical mask is defined as a surgical or procedural mask that is flat or pleated, attached to the head with straps around the ears or behind the head.

How to Wear a Mask "Use of masks in the context of COVID-19"

Purpose

It is used for the protection of the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth, and / or source control, to provide a barrier against droplets to escape into the surrounding environment. Designed for use in healthcare and high risk individuals.

Characteristics

  • Standardized according to international or regional standards
  • Offers good breath ability.
  • Provides filtration efficiency ≥ 95%
  • Fluid resistant

 Who should wear Medical masks

In any COVID-19 transmission scenario:

  • Health workers
  • People treating suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases outside of health centers
  • Anyone with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, including mildly ill people

The following people should use them in areas where COVID-19 is spreading and physical distancing cannot be achieved:

  • People aged 60 and over
  • People with underlying health problems.

Medical masks for those who are sick

In any COVID-19 transmission scenario

  • People with fever or respiratory symptoms such as: cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, congestion or any other symptom compatible with COVID-19.
  • For those awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.
  • For those who are positive for COVID-19 and are isolated at home or in a designated location, when others are around People with COVID-19 should wear a medical mask.

Non-medical / fabric mask

Definition

Non-medical mask, also known as a cloth mask, is a cover for the nose and mouth. It can be homemade or manufactured, usually from a combination of fabrics and layers.

How to Wear a Mask "Use of masks in the context of COVID-19"

Purpose

  • Designed for public use as a source control; to provide a barrier to prevent the transmission of droplets from the user to others and the environment.

Characteristics

  • No standardized to default standards Varies by layers and composition in breath ability,
  • Droplet filtration and fit WHO advises that a cloth mask should ideally consist of 3 layers of cloth (details later).

 Who should wear non-medical (or fabric) masks

In areas with known or suspected transmission from the community or group of SARS-CoV-2, where ventilation is known to be poor regardless of physical distance

  • General public
  • Essential workers who cannot keep their distance from the public, such as cashiers, servers, etc.
  •  As well as those in public environments such as buses, subways, airplanes and mass gatherings.
  • Masks with valves. are not indicated for protection against COVID-19

Hand hygiene & Mask wearing

  • Before putting on a mask: wash your hands.
  • Put on the mask always covering your nose, mouth and chin.
  • Wash your hands before touching or adjusting your mask.
  • Before removing the mask: wash your hands again.

Make sure the mask fits over the nose, mouth, and under the chin and that there are no gaps around the nose or on the sides. Change your mask when it gets dirty, dirty, or wet to avoid contamination.

Mask use in a community or cluster transmission scenario

Universal masking

In healthcare settings (including primary, secondary, tertiary, outpatient, and long-term care facility levels)

  • Healthcare workers should wear a medical mask.
  • Other staff, visitors, service providers may wear a cloth or medical mask.
  • Hospitalized patients can wear a medical or cloth mask when they cannot maintain physical distance from others.

Targeted continuous masking

in healthcare settings (including primary, secondary, tertiary care levels, outpatient care
long-term care and care facilities)

  • Healthcare workers and caregivers working in clinical areas are advised to wear a medical mask continuously during activities and during their shift.
  • Staff in non-clinical areas (i.e. administrative staff) do not need to wear a medical mask during routine activities
  • Patients and visitors, service providers are not required to wear a mask.

In healthcare settings (including primary, secondary, tertiary, outpatient, and long-term care facility levels)

  • Healthcare workers, staff, patients, and visitors are advised to wear a medical mask in accordance with standard and transmission-based precautions.

In known or suspected community, cluster or sporadic transmission scenarios

  • Community health workers must continually wear a medical mask.
  • In a transmission scenario without cases
  • Healthcare workers should consider wearing medical masks in accordance with standard and transmission-based precautions. Regardless of the transmission scenario, healthcare workers should apply standard precautions for all patients at all times.

Public settings - Outdoors

The general public should wear a cloth mask in outdoor settings, where

  • you cannot keep a distance of at least 1 meter;
  • waiting for public transport,
  • visit open-air markets,
  • stand in line outside a building,
  • attend demonstrations, etc.

Specific groups or activities

High risk groups

They should wear medical masks when physical distancing cannot be maintained:

  • over 60 years
  • underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus, chronic lung disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease or immuno-suppression

Essential workers

  • Must wear cloth masks
  • Unless they are in a high risk group, then they should wear a medical mask.
  • Must wear their mask correctly at all times and follow proper hand hygiene before / after touching / putting on / taking off the mask.
  • You must keep at least 1 meter away from others.
  • They should not wear gloves during their work.

Masks during exercise

  • People should not wear masks during vigorous intensity physical activity.
  • Whether outdoors or indoors, it is important to maintain physical distance
  • If it is indoors, special attention must be paid to ventilation to guarantee air circulation, as well as to cleaning and disinfection of the environment and high-contact surfaces.

Avoid

Double mask: wear one mask over the other 

  • Crossing the straps of the mask
  • Hanging the mask on your ear
  • Putting the mask in your pocket while not using it
  • Removing your mask when you speak to someone or on the phone

Wearing the mask under the nose 

  • Wearing the mask under the mouth or under the chin
  • Touching/adjusting the mask without first cleaning your hands
  • Placing the mask on a surface (table or chair) when not using it

 Answer the following questions

  1. This is a graded assignment / exam
  2. No time restriction
  3. Unlimited attempts
  4. 14 questions
  5. 28 points

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