Surgical Masks
A surgical mask is protective for both the health care worker and for the patient. A mask protects the health care worker from infections transmitted by respiratory droplets and protects the mouth and nose from splashes or sprays of blood or bodily fluids. A mask protects the patient from micro-organisms in the health care worker’s nose and mouth.
For optimal protection of the health care worker, the mask must be worn properly. It should:
- Cover the nose and mouth of the wearer
- Fit closely to prevent venting around the mask
- Be a fresh clean mask for each procedure
- Not be permitted to hang around the neck
- Be removed by handling the ties
- Perform Hand hygiene after removing mask
Masks should be either on or completely off. They should not be allowed to hang around the neck or folded and placed in a pocket for later use. Used masks harbor multiple microbes that can be transferred to other people or surfaces.
Surgical masks are not to be worn out of the patient care space (operating room, patient room, procedure room etc.)
Surgical masks are not to be worn hanging around the neck to the cafeteria, bathroom, or any other space that the patient care is not presently taking place.
Surgical masks should be changed between patients.
Protecting our patients is the top priority at Cooper University Health Care. We need 100 percent compliance with all patient safety procedures.
A sentinel is one who stands guard or watch to protect others. We need all employees to be sentinels to protect our patients and keep watch to ensure all patient safety procedures are being strictly followed.
One Team. One Purpose.