Surgical Mask Donning Instructions

A surgical mask consists of three layers. Inner layer facing the wearer absorbs water. Middle layer is the cotton filter. Outer layer is water resistant. Wearing surgical mask is just ONE of the ways to prevent the spread of droplet and respiratory tract infections.

Good personal hygiene is utmost important.

You are recommended to wear a surgical mask when:

1. you have symptoms of respiratory infection or fever
2. you are looking after someone with respiratory infection symptoms
3. you are having contact (within one metre) with a person having respiratory infection symptoms
4. you are a visitor to health-care settings, e.g. hospitals and clinics
5. when visiting crowded and poorly-ventilated places (although these settings should be avoided especially when community spread of swine flu is confirmed)
6. when visiting areas affected by swine flu, especially when visiting crowded and poorly-ventilated places
7. you have been in close contact with a suspected or confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1)
8. you have been to a city with confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) cases in the past 7 days
9. you are looking after patients

Even if you do wear a surgical mask, you should continue to maintain a high standard of personal hygiene because no mask can offer total protection.

Used correctly an inexpensive 3-ply surgical mask is as effective as the pricey N95 Respirator for preventing Influenza A (H1N1).

Click HERE for a power-point presentation or HERE for a video on Surgical Mask Donning Instructions.