The following procedure is based on the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommendations. Please follow the guidelines below:
Surgical Face Masks (To be used by staff, at all times, while in the residences.)
- Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after touching, adjusting, or removing.
- Avoid touching the inside of the mask.
- When putting on place mask over nose and mouth and secure elastics or straps.
- Avoid touching front of mask when removing.
- The facemask should be removed and discarded if soiled, damaged, or hard to breathe through.
- Staff should leave the immediate area where they are caring for an individual if they need to remove the facemask.
- Facemasks should be carefully folded so that the outer surface is held inward and against itself to reduce contact with the outer surface during storage. The folded mask can be stored between uses in a clean sealable paper bag or breathable container.
- ANY INDIVIDUAL SHOWING ANY SIGNS & SYMPTOMS, REGARDLESS OF TESTING STATUS, SHOULD ALSO WEAR A MASK.
*If there is a COVID-19+ individual isolating in the residence, all staff and individuals at the residence should wear surgical masks, apart from the staff person that will be providing direct care to the individual that has tested positive for COVID-19. Please see below for additional guidance for staff working directly with COVID-19+ individual.*
N95 Mask (To be used by Staff directly providing care to an individual that has a confirmed positive diagnosis of COVID-19. The individual should also wear a surgical mask while receiving supports by the designated staff.)
- Masks must only be used by a single wearer (Do not share masks).
- Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after touching, adjusting, or removing.
- Avoid touching the inside of the mask.
- To wear, place mask over nose and mouth, ensure tight seal and adjust elastic or cloth straps/bands to secure mask in place.
- Minimize taking the mask on and off.
- Avoid touching front of mask when removing.
- Frequent touching of your face while wearing mask will defeat its protective effects.
- Store mask separately in a clean, breathable, and labeled container such as a paper bag or container between uses.
- Discard mask if contaminated with blood, respiratory or nasal secretions, or other bodily fluids from the individual that has tested positive for COVID-19.
- To ensure the mask is reusable, inspect edges, form, surface, elasticity of band(s)/straps, and ensure fit has not degraded.
- Discard mask if it becomes damaged or hard to breathe through.
Mask Wearing 101: How to Properly Use & Re-use a Mask Video
In order for a mask to offer protection — rather than becoming a vehicle for COVID-19 germ-spreading — it must be handled, worn and stored properly. This step-by-step video on mask-wearing covers the how-tos and the do’s and dont’s of mask use, with tips from Sarasota Memorial nurse Jennifer Sorensen, RN.
CLICK BELOW TO WATCH THE VIDEO
