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Dear Cathryn and Michael, agree wholeheartedly have had to fit this fight
for to many years, found it helpful ( and typical not to see the value to
the patient) to focus on the wearer not the patient safety. I use the
example would they do procedures without glove – of course not!!!!! Same
applies to masks and eye protection.
Lesley Alway
Director
Strategic Health Resources.
Post Graduate Education Services.
0408 324 727
03 94390534
Director Australian Health Design Council
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*From:* ACIPC Infexion Connexion [mailto:AICALIST@AICALIST.ORG.AU] *On
Behalf Of *Cathryn Murphy
*Sent:* Wednesday, 9 August 2017 4:17 PM
*To:* AICALIST@AICALIST.ORG.AU
*Subject:* Re: Wearing of Surgical masks in the Operating room
Dear All
I agree with Michaels rationale and agree there are cases of occupational
transmission of serious bloodborne illness from mucousal splashes reported
in the literature. So from an OCH&S obligation the HCW should comply.
This is one of those frustrating issues that come up from time to time and
they drive me crazy. They are like the ? of eating in theatres/
anaesthetists wearing masks/ OT staff changing attire etc. Why IC
professionals continually have to fight these causes is exhausting and sad
but back to the science.whilst Michael provides a meta-analysis it is a
few years old and it is based on very few reports probably because the
issue hasnt been well studied not that the issue isnt important.
I would also draw attention to the increasing use of air-purifying systems
in the US and other countries. Some of the data related to validation
studies are very compelling and show how CFU counts of bacteria rise
(sometimes to extremes) when speaking (behind masks) happens. Obviously
showing causation between high counts/ speaking and actual wound infection
is difficult given to the many confounders (# of people in the room/
traffic/ movement/ +/- measures like laminar flow/ skin prep etc etc) but
surely it just makes sense for people in the OR to wear masks for
everyones sake.
Off track..but I recall being asked this exact question by a group of
anaesthetists at a scientific meeting in the late 1990s and after
responding seriously and scientifically I then added mask wearing depends
on how good looking you are and in your case I wouldas you can imagine it
went down like a lead balloon but it silenced the question asker.
I seriously wish you good luck in fighting these battles and I wish the
people we served relaised the very serious and very real issues we fight
daily and perhaps then they would stop creating distractions like this.
With respect
Cath
Cathryn Murphy RN B. Photog MPH PhD CIC
Chief Executive Officer & Creative Director
Infection Control Plus Pty Ltd
QLD, Australia
E: Cath@infectioncontrolplus.com.au
M: +61 428 154154
W:http://www.infectioncontrolplus.com.au
*From:* ACIPC Infexion Connexion [mailto:AICALIST@AICALIST.ORG.AU
] *On Behalf Of *Michael Wishart
*Sent:* Wednesday, 9 August 2017 15:29
*To:* AICALIST@AICALIST.ORG.AU
*Subject:* Re: Wearing of Surgical masks in the Operating room
Hi Fran
This topic has received a fair bit of attention over the years, and yes,
your doctors are correct: there is no compelling evidence to suggest
surgical face masks reduce surgical site infection rates. See this
meta-analysis conclusion:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0064347/
Having said that, my own rationale for staff wearing surgical face masks
during procedures is for protection of their mucous membranes from
splashing of potentially infectious material. In my view, the strike
resistance for surgical face masks is of high importance, and has little
to do with preventing contamination of the surgical wound.
To suggest staff in a room during a procedure dont wear masks would in my
opinion be asking for trouble. From a occupational health and safety
perspective, I would always recommend everyone in a room during a surgical
procedure should be wearing a surgical face mask, and eye protection as
well.
In my view, anyway.
Cheers
Michael
*Michael Wishart*
Infection Control Coordinator
*A *627 Rode Road, Chermside QLD 4032
*P *(07) 3326 3068 | *F *(07) 3607 2226 | *E *
michael.wishart@svha.org.au | *W * http://www.hsnph.org.au
[image: cid:image001.png@01D01926.61F1C2B0]
P *Please consider the environment before printing this email *
*From:* ACIPC Infexion Connexion [mailto:AICALIST@AICALIST.ORG.AU
] *On Behalf Of *Franciska Ferreira
*Sent:* Wednesday, 9 August 2017 3:03 PM
*To:* AICALIST@AICALIST.ORG.AU
*Subject:* Re: Wearing of Surgical masks in the Operating room
Afternoon All,
I require some assistance please.
Weve had interesting discussions amongst some of Visiting Medical
Officers regarding the effectiveness of wearing surgical masks in the
operating room to decrease the likelihood of postoperative surgical site
infections. The practice of wearing masks is believed to minimize the
transmission of oro-and nasopharyngeal bacteria from Theatre Operating
staff to patients wounds. However a couple of individuals believe there is
not enough evidence to support this and therefore dont think it is
necessary to wear surgical masks while operating.
Im aware of the requirements as per the ACORN Standards and the National
Infection Control Guidelines (2016 Draft version), which our Staff complies
by, however I cannot find current best practice or evidence to provide to
those two individuals.
Any suggestions please? And if youre willing to share, what is the Policy
in regards this matter at your facilities?
Kind Regards
Franciska Ferreira
*Infection Prevention & Control/Wound Management Consultant*
Burnside War Memorial Hospital
120 Kensington Road, Toorak Gardens, SA 5056
*t:* 08 8202 7231 *f:* 08 8407 8573 e: fferreira@burnsidehospital.asn.au
*[image: technology_to_control_infections] *
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