Contamination of Medical Masks

Airborne respiratory pathogens may remain on the surface of used masks, resulting in contamination.

Educational Objectives

Educational Aim:
The aim of this article is to show that protocols on duration of mask use should specify a maximum time of use, and should consider additional guidance in high contact settings.

Editor's comments:
The current pandemic of COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and spreads from person-to-person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and from touching contaminated surfaces. Reducing transmission revolves around preventing person-to-person spread, by avoiding close contact (social distancing), and using infection control measures, including hand-hygiene, respiratory hygiene, and personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks. In South Africa, medical masks are the preference for health care workers and the general public has been encouraged to wear cloth masks.

Educational Outcomes:
Upon completion of this module practitioners should have a clear understanding of:

1. The use of medical masks and the risks faced by health care workers when using these as well as the strategies needed to avoid contamination.

Instructions for this Module

• Read the supplied reading material and complete the quiz that follows;
• You have three attempts to pass the quiz;
• The pass grade is 70%;
• You need to pass the quiz to claim your CPD certificate;
• Please click on the CPD certificate link below to claim your CPD certificate and to update your CPD Manager.

If you need any assistance to complete this module, please Contact us