The introduction of surgical masks for all clinical employees, ambulatory patients and visitors to our sites is a proactive step, taken to ensure your continued protection and wellbeing.
The use of surgical masks for all clinical employees is mandatory from 12 midday 9 July 2020.
Please read the following information carefully as it is critical in times of uncertainty to act on credible information. Our Medical Director Infection Prevention, Associate Professor Rhonda Stuart, outlines the facts for you below:
The introduction of surgical masks for all clinical employees, ambulatory patients and visitors to our sites is a proactive step to ensure your continued protection and wellbeing.
COVID-19 can be transmitted via droplets, and surgical masks protect against droplet transmission.
The use of masks is part of a comprehensive package of the prevention and control measures that can limit the spread of certain respiratory viral diseases, including COVID-19.
Masks can be used either for protection of healthy persons (worn to protect oneself when in contact with an infected individual) or for source control (worn by an infected individual to prevent onward transmission).
Compliance with hand hygiene, physical distancing, and other infection prevention and control (IPC) measures remain critical to preventing transmission of COVID-19.
You are required to wear a surgical mask if you are in a clinical role, or if you are entering a clinical area where you cannot physically distance from others.
If you are in a non-clinical role, as per Government directions, you must wear a face covering whenever you leave your home, including at work, unless an exception applies.
Yes, if you are in a clinical role, or if you are entering a clinical area where you cannot physically distance from others.
If you are in a non-clinical role, as per Government directions, you must wear a face covering whenever you leave your home, including at work, unless an exception applies.
Yes, including those attending outpatient appointments.
Yes, you must wear a face covering, unless an exemption applies
No. The use of masks is part of a comprehensive package of measures, including good hand hygiene and physical distancing, that can limit the spread of COVID-19. A mask alone is not sufficient.
You will be able to access a mask at the thermal entrance screening point when you start work, and access subsequent masks from the department you are working in.
Clinical employees must use Monash Health provided surgical masks to ensure we provide a consistent and safe environment. Please do not bring your own masks from home.
Non-clinical employees can use your own cloth masks or face coverings at work. For people in this group, we will initially provide up to three masks per day to give you time to obtain your own supplies.
Droplets are transmitted through your nose and mouth – so to be effective, a mask must cover your nose and mouth at all times.
Masks can be worn for up to 4 hours. Masks also need to be changed at meal breaks or after going to the toilet and whenever wet or contaminated.
Once worn, the mask is considered contaminated, and there is an increased risk of transmission if reused.
Dispose of used masks in the normal waste bin unless they are visibly soiled or have been used as a component of Tier 2 or 3 PPE.
If caring for a confirmed COVID-positive patient, mask removal is as per our normal donning and doffing procedures (i.e. remove and discard the mask after leaving the COVID-positive room).
If your mask is damaged, do not use it – or if it is already on, remove it immediately and dispose of it.
If you need to readjust your mask, do it from the rear only. Avoid touching your mask while wearing, and if you do touch it perform hand hygiene afterwards.
All Monash Health clinical employees have been trained on the application and removal of PPE, and this includes masks. If you have not completed your PPE training, please do so immediately.
We will ensure masks are available in all required locations to keep you safe.
Please see the application/removal information, located above.
Tucking your mask under your glasses can help, ensuring your nose is covered at all times and you are wearing your mask safely.
Putting a small amount of dishwashing liquid on a microfibre cloth and applying it to your glasses can help prevent the build-up of condensation while wearing a mask. You can also try gently washing your glasses with soapy water immediately before wearing a mask, drying them with a soft tissue. This should help to prevent mist forming on them. It is important to ensure you are wearing your mask correctly with your glasses.
Ear Saver Straps are available to prevent pressure or discomfort caused by wearing a mask.
Ear Saver Straps are available through iProc (code 402405) and located in clinical areas. Ask for a Nurse or Midwife in charge to provide this.
The Ear Saver Strap keeps your mask away from your ears and firm on your face. It also allows a better fit if the mask and strings are too wide for your face.
Attaching the straps/ties of your mask to the ear saver keeps your ears comfortable by keeping the mask straps resting on the back of your head instead of behind your ears.
Yes, with the use of Clinell wipes on application and on removal, but only for a single shift/day.
Clinell wipes on each application and on removal. Please note that ear savers should only be used for single-day use.
Ear Saver Straps must be disposed of at the end of the shift/day as they are single-day use only.
If you have a lot of facial hair, you may not be able to use a mask properly and will put yourself at increased risk.
At the end of your shift discard your used surgical mask in the normal waste bin unless they are visibly soiled or have been used as a component of tier 2 or 3 PPE. Then perform hand hygiene. Then don your personal face covering before leaving the site.
Yes.
Yes.
These FAQs are designed to answer some of the questions you may have regarding the use of N95 masks.
Surgical masks are being substituted for N95 masks in some areas of the health service seeing high numbers of suspected or confirmed COVID patients. This substitution applies only to staff with direct patient contact (not admin staff): Emergency Departments, Intensive Care Units, COVID wards/zones, SCOVID wards.
It is essential you fit the mask correctly. Please follow these step-by-step instructions.
After applying the mask, ensure you have performed a seal check. Inhale and the mask should collapse. Exhale and check for leakage around your face. You must replace the mask if it becomes hard to breathe through or if the mask no longer conforms to the face or loses its shape.
The mask can be worn for up to four hours. You must remove the mask after four hours, and when going on meal breaks.
Yes, apply N95 mask on entry to high risk area. You do not need to remove the N95 when leaving the area, the mask can remain insitu for up to 4 hours.
No – the mask can stay on for up to 4 hours
No – the mask can stay on for up to 4 hours unless soiled, wet or you need to remove for a meal break
No. If you take your mask off, you must not re-use it. Please ensure it is disposed of correctly.
The mask can continue to be worn, but you must practice correct hand hygiene immediately.
Please remove the mask if it soiled or wet (e.g. blood or bodily fluids), dispose of it correctly, practice correct hand hygiene and follow the relevant precautions required.
No. You can continue to wear the N95.
The relevant Director of Clinical Operations will continue to distribute the N95 masks, where appropriate.
