The role of the surgical mask in the prevention of cross-infections in hospital nurseries for newborn infants

Abstract

At recurrent intervals, criticisms are made questioning the utility of the surgical mask in the prevention of droplet infection in hospital wards and in nurseries. The problem has recently flared anew, this time with regard to the use of the surgical mask as a part of the prescribed technique of aseptic nursing care of newborn infants in the nurseries of maternity institutions. In order to shed light on this aspect of the subject, the literature was searched, and surprisingly enough, no reports were found having a direct bearing on the problem as affecting nurseries for newborn infants. Considerable work has been done dealing with the control of cross-infection in hospital pediatric wards. Even in these investigations, however, the efficiency of the surgical mask has been the subject of only incidental study. No valid conclusions can be drawn, therefore, as to the effectiveness of the surgical mask under the novel conditions on active lying-in services. It must be stressed that marked differences exist in the conduct of pediatric services and nursery services for newborn infants. Adequate studies are needed, therefore, to determine the function and efficiency of the various types of surgical masks in the prevention of respiratory infection among newborn infants receiving hospital care. Until such investigations can be carried out, the more effective absorbing or deflector masks should be used as an integral part of the aseptic nursery care of newborn infants. Efforts should be made to improve upon the construction of the mask to act more adequately as a primary barrier in the prevention of air-borne infection. At recurrent intervals, criticisms are made questioning the utility of the surgical mask in the prevention of droplet infection in hospital wards and in nurseries. The problem has recently flared anew, this time with regard to the use of the surgical mask as a part of the prescribed technique of aseptic nursing care of newborn infants in the nurseries of maternity institutions. In order to shed light on this aspect of the subject, the literature was searched, and surprisingly enough, no reports were found having a direct bearing on the problem as affecting nurseries for newborn infants. Considerable work has been done dealing with the control of cross-infection in hospital pediatric wards. Even in these investigations, however, the efficiency of the surgical mask has been the subject of only incidental study. No valid conclusions can be drawn, therefore, as to the effectiveness of the surgical mask under the novel conditions on active lying-in services. It must be stressed that marked differences exist in the conduct of pediatric services and nursery services for newborn infants. Adequate studies are needed, therefore, to determine the function and efficiency of the various types of surgical masks in the prevention of respiratory infection among newborn infants receiving hospital care. Until such investigations can be carried out, the more effective absorbing or deflector masks should be used as an integral part of the aseptic nursery care of newborn infants. Efforts should be made to improve upon the construction of the mask to act more adequately as a primary barrier in the prevention of air-borne infection.