How to Use a Surgical/Procedure Face Mask Correctly
/
Along with proper hand hygiene, personal protective equipment like a face mask can help to reduce the spread of airborne infections between people.
Wearing a Mask Does Not Make You Invincible,
It Just Lowers Your Risk A Little More When Worn and Disposed of Correctly.
When applied and worn correctly, face masks can help to prevent sick patients from passing along their illness to others.
Face masks can also help to remind people not to touch their face.
When misapplied or misused, a face mask can produce a false sense of security and increase a person's risk of infection.
All Patients Are Now Required to Wear a Mask to their Eye Exam
As a result of COVID-19, Stonewire Optometry has adopted the policy that all patients presenting to our clinic for routine or emergency eye care will be required to wear a face mask during their appointment for the foreseeable future. Our policy is based on the current best practices for primary health care settings and is intended to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus as well as other viruses' and bacteria within our clinic. Our goal is to protect our patients and staff while still allowing us to provide access to eye care.
Can I Wear My Own Mask?
Yes. If you have a clean new face mask, we ask that you bring this to your appointment as personal protective equipment supplies are in short supply. If our staff is not happy with the fit of your face mask, we may have you put on one of ours.
It’s very important that your mask completely cover both your nose and mouth.
How to Put on a Disposable Surgical/Procedure Mask Correctly:
Perform appropriate hand hygiene with either soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Pick up the mask.
Determine which side is the inside (usually the white side), and which is the outside (usually the coloured side, some masks even label it).
Determine which is the top and bottom (the flexible bar towards the top).
Fold the mask in half in half to bend the flexible bar (this will help it fit around your nose)
Fold each half again to make a W like shape to allow the mask to sit flat along you face.
Place the ear loops around your ears.
Adjust the mask down under your chin.
Mold or pinch the stiff edge again to seal the mask around your nose.
How to Remove a Disposable Surgical/Procedure Mask Correctly:
Perform appropriate hand hygiene with either soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Remove the mask with two hands, grabbing the ear loops. Gently lift and pull the face mask away. Do not touch the front outer surface of the face mask as this is considered to be the contaminated side.
Place the used face mask in the garbage.
Perform appropriate hand hygiene with either soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
How Long Can I Wear My Face Mask For?
A mask can be safely worn for a few hours (4-5 hrs). If the mask becomes soiled or moist, it should be discarded immediately, and a new mask should be applied. Please make sure to follow all of the above steps when removing and applying a new mask.
Remember, a disposable face masks should never be re-used.
Can I Still Get COVID-19 with a Face Mask?
Yes. A face mask is one tool that can be used to reduce your risk but it cannot completely eliminate your risk of contracting COVID-19. Personal protective equipment like face masks are considered the lowest level of protection.
Practicing safe social distancing, as well as good personal hand hygiene, along with using personal protective equipment like face masks are some of the ways that people can reduce their risk, while still carrying on with their necessary day to day activities, like going to the eye doctors’ office.
