Medical masks are called surgical masks.They are mostly used by health care professionals to protect themselves from the spread of infectious diseases.During a bad disease outbreak, health departments may recommend that members of the public wear surgical masks.The masks are designed to cover your mouth and nose.
Step 1: Understand what a mask protects you from.
Medical or surgical masks can be used to cover your mouth and nose.They are designed with material that can block large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays and splatter, all of which may be harmful to you.
Step 2: There is a difference between a medical mask and an N95 respirator.
Health practitioners use an N95 respirator to block most of the small particles.Unlike medical masks, N95 respirators fit more securely on your face and against your skin.There is a 5% chance that harmful particles can get into the N95 respirator.Children and people with facial hair are not allowed to use N95 respirators.The N95 masks come with an exhalation valve that is designed to reduce condensation build-up inside the mask and allow the wearer to breathe easier.In a situation where a sterile field is required, the masks should not be used.Each type of N95 mask should come with instructions from the manufacturer on how to put on and take off the mask.These instructions must be followed in order to ensure proper protection for both you and your patients.Users are required to be trained how to fit and use N95 respirators.
Step 3: Take care of your hands.
Before touching a medical mask, wash your hands with soap and water.Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds before rinsing them off after you apply soap to your wet hands.Place a clean paper towel in a trash bin if you want to dry your hands.
Step 4: The medical mask has defects.
If you take a new medical mask from the box, make sure it doesn't have any defects, holes or tears.Pick a new mask from the box if the mask has defects, holes or tears.
Step 5: Make sure to look at the top of the mask.
In order to fit as close to your skin as possible, the top portion of the mask has a bendable, but stiff, edge that can be molded around your nose.Before applying the mask to your face, make sure this bendable side is facing upwards.
Step 6: Make sure the face of the mask is facing out.
The inside of a medical mask is white in colour, while the outside is a different colour.Make sure the white side of the mask is facing towards you before applying it to your face.
Step 7: Put the mask on your face.
There are many different ways to attach a medical mask to your head.There are 2 ear loops on either side of the mask.The elastic material used to make these loops can be stretched.Pick up this type of mask by the loops and put a loop around one ear and another around the other.Some masks come with pieces of fabric that are tied around the back of your head.Most masks come with straps or ties.Attach the ties around the back of your head with a bow if you pick up the mask by the upper ties.Some masks come with 2 elastic bands that are placed over and around the back of your head.Hold the mask in front of your face, pull the top band over your head, and place it around your crown of the head.Pull the bottom band over your head and place it at the base of your skull.
Step 8: The nose piece needs to be adjusted.
To pinch the bendable portion of the mask around the bridge of your nose, use your index finger and thumb.
Step 9: If necessary, tie the lower band of the mask.
You can now tie the bottom band around the base of your skull if you use a mask with bands that tie on the top and bottom.Because adjusting the bendable nose piece can affect the fit of the mask, it is best to wait before tying the bottom straps.If you have already tied the bottom straps, you may need to re-tie them tighter.
Step 10: Put the mask under your chin.
The bottom edge of the mask should be under your chin to make sure it covers your face and mouth.
Step 11: You should clean your hands.
Depending on what you were doing with your hands, you may need to wash them.You may need to wash your hands and remove the mask.
Step 12: Carefully remove the mask
The mask should only be removed by touching the edges, straps, loops, ties and bands.Don't touch the front portion of the mask.Ear loops can be removed with your hands.First, untie the bottom straps, then the top straps.Hold onto the top ties while removing the mask.The bottom elastic band should be brought up and over your head by using your hands.While holding the elastic band, remove the mask from your face.
Step 13: Don't remove your mask.
Medical masks can only be used once.Place the mask in the trash when you take it off.There is a garbage bin for biohazardous items in medical settings.Place the mask inside a plastic bag in a non-medical setting.The plastic bag has to be thrown in the garbage bin.
Step 14: You need to wash your hands again.
Once you dispose of the mask safely, wash your hands again to make sure they are clean and don't get contaminated by touching the dirty mask.