How to use a Medical Mask

Understanding Medical Masks

1.Understand what a medical mask protects you from. Medical or surgical masks are intended to hide both your mouth and nose. they’re designed with material that may block large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays and splatter — all of which can contain viruses or bacteria which will be harmful to you.

Note: Small-sized particles, however, should be able to penetrate a medical mask. And, because the medical mask isn’t sealed against your skin, particles are ready to penetrate those openings.

2.Know the difference between a medical mask and an N95 respirator. An N95 respirator could be a device utilized by health practitioners to dam 95% of very small particles. Unlike medical masks, N95 respirators fit more securely on your face and against your skin, and are able to filter airborne particles.

While an N95 respirator can block 95% of very small particles — very small being considered 0.3 microns — there’s still a 5% chance harmful particles can penetrate the respirator.

N95 respirators aren’t designed to be used by children or by those who have facial hair.

Some N95 masks include an exhalation valve that’s designed to scale back condensation build-up inside the mask and permit the wearer to breathe easier. These masks, however, mustn’t be employed in a situation where a sterile field is required because the exhalation valve allows unfiltered (and possibly contaminated) air to depart the mask.

In general, each variety of N95 mask should include detailed instructions from the manufacturer explaining a way to placed on and embark the mask. so as to make sure proper protection for both you and your patients, these instructions — in particular others — must be followed. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) also requires that users are trained the way to fit and use N95 respirators.

Putting on a Mask

1.Clean your hands. Before touching a clean medical mask, wash your hands thoroughly with both soap and water.[8]
Once you’ve applied soap to your wet hands, you must rub your hands together to clean them for a minimum of 20 seconds before rinsing them off
Always use a clean towel to dry your hands, so place that towel into a bin.
Tip: Before you throw away your towel, use it to open/close a door after you’ve washed your hands.

2.Check the medical mask for defects. Once you’ve taken a new (unused) medical mask from the box, check it to ensure it doesn’t contain any defects, holes or tears in the material. If the mask has defects, holes or tears, throw it away and select another new (unused) mask from the box.

3.Orient the highest of the mask properly. so as for the mask to suit as near your skin as possible, the highest portion of the mask will have a bendable, but stiff, edge which will be moulded around your nose. Ensure this bendable side is facing upwards before applying the mask to your face

4.Ensure the proper side of the mask faces outwards. the within of most medical masks are white in colour, while the surface incorporates a colour of some sort. Before applying the mask to your face, confirm the white side of the mask is facing towards your face.

5.Place the mask on your face. There are many sorts of medical masks available, each with different methods of attaching the mask to your head.
Ear Loops — Some masks have 2 ear loops on either side of the mask. These loops are normally manufactured from an elastic material in order that they is stretched. develop this kind of mask by the loops, put 1 loop around one ear so put the opposite loop around your other ear.
Ties or Straps — Some masks comes with pieces of cloth that are tied round the back of your head. Most masks with ties include upper and lower ties or straps. develop the mask by the upper ties, place the ties round the back of your head and fasten them along with a bow.
Bands — Some masks include 2 elastic bands that are placed over and round the back of your head (as against around your ears). Hold the mask ahead of your face, pull the highest band over the highest of your head and place it round the crown of your head. Then pull the underside band over the highest of your head and place it at the bottom of your skull.

6.Adjust the nose piece. Now that the medical mask is in situ on your head and face, use your index and thumb to pinch the bendable portion of the highest fringe of the mask round the bridge of your nose.

7.Tie the lower band of the mask if needed. If you’re employing a mask with bands that tie on the highest and bottom, you’ll be able to now tie the underside band round the base of your skull. Because adjusting the bendable nose piece can impact the fit of the mask, it’s best to attend until after the nose piece is in situ before tying the underside straps.
If you’ve already tied the underside straps, you’ll must re-tie them more tightly to induce a comfortable fit.

8.Fit the mask to your face and under your chin. Once the mask is completely secured, adjust it to ensure it covers your face and mouth, and so the bottom edge is under your chin.

Taking Off a Mask

1.Clean your hands. betting on what you were doing along with your hands before you remove your mask, you will have to wash your hands. otherwise you may have to get rid of medical gloves, wash your hands, then remove the mask

2.Remove the mask carefully. In general, remove the mask by only touching the perimeters, straps, loops, ties or bands. don’t touch the front portion of the mask which can be contaminated.
Ear Loops — Use your hands to carry the ear loops and take away them from around each ear.
Ties/Straps — Use your hands to untie the underside straps first, then untie the highest straps. Remove the mask while holding onto the highest ties.
Bands — Use your hands to bring the underside elastic device up and over your head, then use your hands to try and do the identical with the highest elastic. Remove the mask from your face while holding the highest elastic.

3.Dispose of your mask safely. Medical masks are designed to only be used once. Therefore once you take the mask off, place it within the trash immediately.[19]
In medical settings there’s presumably a garbage bin specifically for biohazardous items like used masks and gloves.
In a non-medical setting where the mask may well be contaminated, place the mask by itself inside a bag. Tie the bag closed then throw the bag within the garbage bin.

4. Wash your hands again. Once you’ve disposed of the mask safely, wash your hands another time to confirm they’re clean and didn’t get contaminated by touching the dirty mask