No evidence to support the effectiveness of surgical masks compared to
respirators in reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection when providing
non-aerosol generating care to COVID-19 patients -- A systematic review
- saleem mastan,
- Rahul Geetala,
- Waqar Ahmed,
- Rayaz A. Malik,
- Charalambos P Charalambous
Charalambos P Charalambous
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Author ProfileAbstract
We systematically assessed the evidence comparing surgical facemasks to
respirators in the prevention of COVID-19 in HCW providing non AGP care
in a hospital setting. We identified only one relevant study which
reported no significant difference in COVID-19 infection rates amongst
HCWs wearing surgical facemasks or FFP1 face-covers as compared to FFP2
respirators. This was an observational study with substantial
methodological deficiencies and highlights the need for high quality
evidence. However, until this evidence is available, and given that
inadequate mask use may increase the risk of nosocomial infection
amongst patients and HCWs, we would recommend respirators for non-AGP
care.