Background
maseczki chirurgiczne A medical mask, also referred to as an oral or facial mask, is meant to be worn by medical professionals in healthcare settings. It's designed to reduce inhalation of bacteria and droplets from the air by capturing airborne bacteria that are shed in the mouth and nostrils of the wearer and capturing them in a protective covering.
There are lots of different types of medical masks available and are used by a variety of medical professionals. Some of the common uses for medical masks include providing protection to the respiratory system and eyes from infectious disease and minimizing exposure to contaminated equipment.
The many diverse materials used to create medical masks range from latex to silicon. However, while they're resistant to infections and contamination, latex masks can deteriorate and may not provide adequate ventilation or are too thin. While they are stronger than many other kinds of health mask materials, they aren't ideal for long periods of use.
Polystyrene, also known as Styrofoam or High-Density Silicon, is a fairly new type of health mask material. This sort of mask is like a plastic container, which is usually made of a high density foam that has an airtight seal when stuffed with medical waste and placed inside the hospital.
Styrofoam is normally thick enough to prevent bacteria from getting into the patient's respiratory system and is designed in such a way that air can be pumped through the mask immediately. Because it is not thick, it's also able to move around freely, keeping the nose clean and the mouth dry and preventing contamination from the patient's sneezing, coughing or breathing heavily. They're more expensive than other medical mask substances but have shown to be an effective option for hospital employees.
Silicone is a natural product and so won't degrade over time like other materials. It's a water-resistant covering and can be easily molded into any shape or form, which makes it very versatile. However, it's not as readily cleaned as other materials and requires regular replacement or professional cleaning.
Since these masks are intended for use by healthcare employees, they should be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis to keep the patient and staff shielded. This should be done by a trained professional using antibacterial solutions, which is usually included in any equipment purchased by the hospital or medical facility.
Cleaning is simple since the materials are nonporous and there are no chemicals used to clean them. They require only a simple wipe down with a damp cloth or wet wash cloth to remove excess moisture and germs. In cases of excessive wear, like in the case of prolonged hospital work hours, it's important to wash the mask often to avoid contamination and ensure a fresh infection-free atmosphere.
To disinfect the mask, sanitizer solutions should be poured into a spray bottle and allowed to soak into the foam. The solution should be allowed to sit for thirty minutes, so it doesn't soak into the mask but instead into the skin beneath. After the sanitizer has been applied, it's important to rinse off the mask completely with clean water to remove any residual sanitizer.
Cleaning masks at the hospital can be a pain for the staff members, but if done correctly can prevent infections and reduce costs by protecting the staff and patients from contaminants which can infect them. Even a simple solution of one cup of bleach diluted in two quarts of water is sufficient to purge and sterilize the mask, preventing it from spreading bacteria and potentially causing a severe infection.
Although sanitizing is quite important besides the obvious reason of preventing contamination, the mask itself may also need sanitizing to remove food, drink or other substance which can get into the air during use. For instance, if there are individuals who are in and out of the room throughout the course of this day, the mask may often become contaminated during their use. Cleaning this region of the mask with a bleach solution gives a clean-air area that prevents contamination and allows the air to flow freely. Bleach solutions may also be used to sanitize tools and instruments in the room, as well as clean up droppings from staff and patients.
