Working in a hospital or visiting relatives there can expose people to many types of bacteria and pathogens.
All health care facilities are governed by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). Among many other requirements for hospitals, OSHA dictates the use of surgical masks. Adhering to the OSHA guidelines concerning the use of surgical masks will ensure the safety of health care workers, patients, and visitors within hospital facilities.
OSHA Guidelines
OSHA has set forth guidelines for using surgical masks. Most masks used in health care facilities are designed to have a filter efficiency of 95 percent or greater. This exceeds safety standards for masks used in other industries. The guidelines state that surgical masks must provide a physical barrier against hazards such as body fluids and bacteria.
A mask must be changed before the user leaves one area of a health care facility to go to another area. This is especially important when leaving an operating room.
When visiting a hospitalized relative or friend, visitors must sometimes wear surgical masks. The mask must be discarded before the visitor leaves the area where the patient is.
Using surgical masks are especially prudent today due to the prevalence and contagion of H1N1 flu.
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