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Universal masking in hospitals in the COVID-19 era: Is it time to consider shielding?

Publication ,  Journal Article
Advani, SD; Smith, BA; Lewis, SS; Anderson, DJ; Sexton, DJ
Published in: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol
September 2020

With concerns for presymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 and increasing burden of contact tracing and employee furloughs, several hospitals have supplemented pre-existing infection prevention measures with universal masking of all personnel in hospitals. Other hospitals are currently faced with the dilemma of whether or not to proceed with universal masking in a time of critical mask shortages. We summarize the rationale behind a universal masking policy in healthcare settings, important considerations before implementing such a policy and the challenges with universal masking. We also discusses proposed solutions such as universal face shields.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol

DOI

EISSN

1559-6834

Publication Date

September 2020

Volume

41

Issue

9

Start / End Page

1066 / 1067

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Stem Cell Transplantation
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pneumonia, Viral
  • Pandemics
  • Humans
  • Epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections
  • COVID-19
  • Betacoronavirus
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Advani, S. D., Smith, B. A., Lewis, S. S., Anderson, D. J., & Sexton, D. J. (2020). Universal masking in hospitals in the COVID-19 era: Is it time to consider shielding? Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 41(9), 1066–1067. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2020.179
Advani, Sonali D., Becky A. Smith, Sarah S. Lewis, Deverick J. Anderson, and Daniel J. Sexton. “Universal masking in hospitals in the COVID-19 era: Is it time to consider shielding?Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 41, no. 9 (September 2020): 1066–67. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2020.179.
Advani SD, Smith BA, Lewis SS, Anderson DJ, Sexton DJ. Universal masking in hospitals in the COVID-19 era: Is it time to consider shielding? Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2020 Sep;41(9):1066–7.
Advani, Sonali D., et al. “Universal masking in hospitals in the COVID-19 era: Is it time to consider shielding?Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, vol. 41, no. 9, Sept. 2020, pp. 1066–67. Pubmed, doi:10.1017/ice.2020.179.
Advani SD, Smith BA, Lewis SS, Anderson DJ, Sexton DJ. Universal masking in hospitals in the COVID-19 era: Is it time to consider shielding? Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2020 Sep;41(9):1066–1067.
Journal cover image

Published In

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol

DOI

EISSN

1559-6834

Publication Date

September 2020

Volume

41

Issue

9

Start / End Page

1066 / 1067

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Stem Cell Transplantation
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pneumonia, Viral
  • Pandemics
  • Humans
  • Epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections
  • COVID-19
  • Betacoronavirus