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Re: Wearing of Surgical masks in the Operating room

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  • #73957
    Franciska Ferreira
    Participant

    Author:
    Franciska Ferreira

    Position:
    Infection Prevention & Control/ Wound Ma

    Organisation:
    Burnside Hospital

    State:

    Afternoon All,

    I require some assistance please.

    We’ve 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 patient’s wounds. However a couple of individuals believe there is not enough evidence to support this and therefore don’t think it is necessary to wear surgical masks while operating.

    I’m 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 you’re 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
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    #73958
    Michael Wishart
    Participant

    Author:
    Michael Wishart

    Position:

    Organisation:

    State:
    NSW

    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 don’t 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
    [cid:image001.png@01D01926.61F1C2B0]
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    Afternoon All,

    I require some assistance please.

    We’ve 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 patient’s wounds. However a couple of individuals believe there is not enough evidence to support this and therefore don’t think it is necessary to wear surgical masks while operating.

    I’m 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 you’re 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
    [technology_to_control_infections][cid:image007.png@01D3111C.606F74F0]

    ________________________________
    This email is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above and may contain information that is confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error, could you please notify us by return email and delete it and any attachments from your system. Even though this message is scanned no representation is made that this email or any attachments are free of viruses or other defects. Virus scanning is recommended and is the responsibility of the recipient.

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    MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

    The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

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