Face masks won鈥檛 help the healthy, but are useful in high risk settings
New recommendations relating to the wearing of face masks and respirators have been released by the 成人大片鈥檚 JBI, an international research organisation in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and other infections. The recommendations build on JBI鈥檚 COVID-19 Special Collection released last week.
鈥淭he evidence suggests that a multifaceted approach, for example using a mask in addition to safe hand hygiene processes during high risk exposure, is recommended to prevent the transmission of respiratory infection in the community."Professor Zoe Jordan Executive Director of JBI
The latest best practice guidance added to JBI鈥檚 COVID-19 Special Collection is in relation to the use of face masks and respirators for healthcare professionals and the general community in reducing the transmission of respiratory infections. This guidance has been added to the Collection in response to the need for clear and concise evidence-based recommendations regarding the effectiveness of face masks and/or respirators.
鈥淭he evidence suggests that a multifaceted approach, for example using a mask in addition to safe hand hygiene processes during high risk exposure, is recommended to prevent the transmission of respiratory infection in the community,鈥 says Professor Zoe Jordan Executive Director of JBI.
鈥淏ut it does also indicate that wearing masks or respirators by uninfected people in the general community is not necessary or effective鈥.听
Rather, the research says that masks should be worn by people at high risk of exposure, such as those individuals living in a household with an infected individual. Other recommendations include ensuring the mouth and nose are securely covered and discarding masks following a single use, after six hours or if they become damp. Cloth masks are not recommended under any circumstances.
鈥淭he JBI team is working tirelessly during this public health crisis to deliver the best available research evidence quickly to inform decisions being made by health professionals globally at the point of care,鈥 says Professor Jordan.听
鈥淚t is so very important in challenging times like this current global pandemic that organisations like JBI contribute to ensuring everyone鈥檚 safety. The way we can do that is with relevant, high quality information,鈥 she says.
The updated resources are available for free download from JBI鈥檚 website and will be disseminated to health professionals locally and globally via JBI鈥檚 commercial partner Wolters Kluwer Health, as well as its 75 collaborating healthcare and university partners in 36 countries, this includes SA Health.听
JBI is a world-leading team of researchers whose work ensures that evidence-based knowledge reaches the people who need it most. JBI fosters long-term, sustainable change in health practices by training healthcare professionals to deliver evidence-based healthcare and providing the best available evidence to inform clinical decision making.
More information:
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Professor Zoe Jordan
Executive Director of JBI
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
The 成人大片
Phone: +61 0409 463 611
Email: zoe.jordan@adelaide.edu.au
Kelly Brown
Communications Coordinator
External Relations
The 成人大片
Phone: +61 (08) 8313 3943
Email:听k.brown@adelaide.edu.au听
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