Note: These guidelines apply only to inpatient and emergency departments.
Remember to provide all patients a surgical mask or ensure they wear a cloth mask from home.
Inform the patient that “for your safety and the safety of others, we ask that you wear your mask when our care team is in your room or transporting you through the hospital.”
- Educate the patient on the following:
- Patients may remove their mask when they’re alone in their room.
- When others are in the room, patients should wear a mask.
- Patients should wear a mask during transport or when leaving their room.
- Unless soiled or damaged, patients may reuse their mask.
- Mask contraindications include the following:
- If medically intolerable (trouble breathing)
- If supplemental oxygen mask is present.
- If incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance
- For a verbal statement of medically intolerable (Will be determined upon assessment)
- Patients can store their mask in an envelope when not in use. White, standard business envelopes may be ordered for your department as you would other paper/office supplies.