The Right Way To Wear A Hospital Mask

The COVID-19 pandemic has made mask-wearing a common practice, especially in hospitals and healthcare facilities. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends wearing masks to prevent infection by the virus, and hospitals often mandate their use. Surgical masks are typically made of three layers: an outer fluid-repellent layer, a high-efficiency filter middle layer, and an absorbent inner layer. When wearing a surgical mask, it is important to ensure the coloured side, usually blue or green, faces outwards. The mask should fully cover the mouth, nose, and chin, with no gaps between the mask and face. It is also crucial to avoid touching the front of the mask and to dispose of used masks properly.

Ensure it covers your nose and mouth

It is important to ensure that your hospital mask covers both your nose and mouth to give you maximum protection. If you are exempt from wearing a surgical face mask, or it is agreed by clinicians that wearing a mask may negatively affect your care, a visor can be supplied to provide some protection.

When wearing a hospital mask, it is important to make sure that it fits correctly. It should be comfortable and should not restrict your breathing, but it also needs to fit snugly, especially around your cheeks and the bridge of your nose. If your glasses fog up when wearing a mask, this is a sign that your mask does not fit well, as too much air is escaping.

You should always wash or sanitise your hands before putting on a new mask. If you are in a bay with other people, you must only remove your mask when eating, drinking or sleeping. You should wear a mask at all other times unless advised not to by a clinician. If you forget your mask, don't worry – hospitals will provide you with one when you arrive.

Cloth masks are an excellent option for a hospital mask. They typically have elastic loops that fit over your ears, making them easy to take on and off, and should have multiple layers of fabric. You can either buy cloth masks or make your own.

Wash your hands before putting it on

Wearing a mask in a hospital setting is an important way to protect yourself and others from infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Before putting on a hospital mask, it is crucial to wash your hands thoroughly. This simple act can significantly reduce the risk of spreading germs and viruses.

Washing your hands before touching your mask is essential for maintaining proper hand hygiene and ensuring you do not transfer any germs or viruses from your hands to your face or the mask itself. By doing so, you reduce the likelihood of contaminating your mask and potentially spreading harmful pathogens.

Proper handwashing involves using soap or hand sanitiser and clean water. Lather your hands well, ensuring that you cover all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers, and under your nails. A good rule of thumb is to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, roughly the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice.

After washing, dry your hands with a clean towel or single-use paper towel. If you are in a hospital setting, it is advisable to let your hands air dry as much as possible before touching the mask to avoid transferring any bacteria or viruses that may be present on the towel. Remember, the goal is to minimise the transfer of pathogens to your mask and face.

In addition to washing your hands before putting on a hospital mask, it is equally important to wash your hands after removing the mask. This breaks the chain of potential contamination and further reduces the risk of spreading harmful pathogens. So, make it a habit to wash your hands before and after touching your mask.

Avoid touching the front of the mask

It is important to avoid touching the front of the mask, as doing so could spread germs to your face, or from your hands to the mask. If you need to touch or adjust the mask, always wash your hands immediately before and after. This is because your hands and the mask should be considered contaminated. It is also important to wash your hands before putting on and after taking off the mask.

The correct way to remove a mask is from behind, without touching the front. Dispose of the mask immediately in a closed bin and then wash your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

Children should be taught to wash their hands before and after wearing a mask and to avoid touching the mask once it is on their face. They should also be taught to take the mask off from behind and to avoid touching the front of the mask.

It is recommended to replace your mask with a new one if it is damp, and to never re-use the mask.

Replace it after eating and drinking

It is important to replace your mask after eating and drinking. If you are in a hospital, ask a member of staff for a new mask if you do not have one. Always wash or sanitise your hands before putting on a new mask.

When removing your mask, do so carefully, using the straps, and fold it so that the outside does not touch the inside of the mask. Keep it somewhere clean, such as your pocket, purse, or a paper bag. Remember to wash your hands or use hand sanitiser after taking off your mask and before putting on a new one.

It is recommended that you wear a mask at all times when in a hospital, unless you are medically exempt or advised otherwise by a clinician. This is to protect yourself, other patients, and staff. Hospitals are places where you are more likely to come into contact with someone who is COVID-positive, so wearing a mask helps to protect you from becoming infected. It also reduces the likelihood of you spreading the virus if you have it.

In addition to wearing a mask, it is important to practise good hand hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water, or use hand sanitiser, to ensure that you are not spreading germs. By following these guidelines, you can help to keep yourself and others safe while in a hospital setting.

Wash and reuse cloth masks

Cloth masks are recommended by the CDC to slow the spread of viruses and prevent people who unknowingly have the virus from transmitting it to others. It is important to wash and reuse cloth masks properly to ensure they are effective for their intended purpose.

Firstly, it is important to wash your hands with soap and water before putting on or taking off your cloth mask. When removing your mask, do so by pulling on the straps, not on the mask itself. After taking off your mask, it is important to wash your hands again thoroughly with soap and water.

Cloth masks should be washed after each use. If your mask becomes wet or comes into contact with liquid, such as makeup, saliva, or sweat, it is recommended to wash it as soon as possible to avoid mold. To wash your cloth mask, you can either use a washing machine or wash it by hand. If using a washing machine, add your mask to the rest of your laundry and use your regular laundry detergent. Set your washing machine to the right settings based on the instructions on the mask. If you have a dryer, you can place your mask in the dryer after washing. When washing your cloth mask by hand, rinse the mask thoroughly with tap water and then gently scrub it with laundry detergent or soap. Rinse the soap out of the mask thoroughly afterward to ensure all soap residue is removed before setting it aside to dry.

It is recommended to buy multiple cloth masks so that you have a mask available while the others are in the wash. This way, you can ensure you always have a clean mask to wear. It is also important to store your cloth masks correctly. Keep your masks in a safe place where they will not be contaminated or get dirty. If possible, store them in a container with a lid to create a clean and dry environment.

Frequently asked questions