Mask/goggles question

babyboomerRN, RN · Apr 15, 2004

can you wear a face shield instead? we wear a full face shield as part of our ppe.i don't think i could stand to wear a face mask w/goggles all day.i think you can find face shields at almost any uniform web site.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Apr 15, 2004

Absolutely ! Face shield is better by FAR !!! And then, either one of them ONLY when you're actually going to come into contact with blood such as sticking, cleaning the machine, or using any of the chemicals, etc.

The only time we wear a mask is when we're working on a catheter, doing a cath dressing change, etc. Also, you can slip the mask off and let it dangle around your neck when you aren't HAVING to wear it at any given time.

But yes, I hate masks, too, and therefor could NEVER work in OR or burn units...

and we wear aprons... no specila "labcoat"... when I did reuse, I'd have to wear that blue plastic fullcover thing... whew !!! Hated it !

So glad we don't do reuse anymore !

orrnlori, RN · Apr 15, 2004

If you can get the full face shield that works off a head band, its a good one to use. If you can't get that then do this: Tie the top tie snug but not tight, pinch it over your nose and then apply tape to the mask so that a small line of the tape goes over your nose and over both cheeks. Do not tie the bottom ties tight, leave the mask loose at the bottom (but tied). The tape will keep your breath from fogging your goggles and leaving the bottom more open will allow your breath to escape and you'll be able to breath better and not feel like you are going to smoother. Take it from someone who wears a mask 9 hours a day, once you find the right way to tie the mask, you'll do much better. Also, the light goggles that are used in the OR and are disposable are great and very very light plus give full eye protection.

AmyLiz · Apr 16, 2004

Thanks for your thoughts. :)

Our unit provides goggles or face sheilds, so that's a good thing. The thing with the shields is they give me a headache being on that headband. (what can I say...I've got a big head! LOL) and the masks are the kind that go behind your ears, so you can't tie them. I wish we had the ones that tie! I had to use those in the CNA class I had to take at school & those seemed to be a lot easier for me to breathe with on.

There are another kind of mask/sheild that they've got that I am going to try today...it's one of those behind the ear masks with the visor top. I'll try that & see if maybe it will work better.

jnette...our reuse guy has that big blue full cover thing too. :) We wear the non-perm labcoats, which are kinda cool. They aren't too warm to wear, thank goodness.

We are supposed to wear PPE when we change out the machines and put in or pull needles. I wear gloves when wiping down the machines, but we're not required to wear the mask then, thank goodness.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Apr 16, 2004

Thanks for your thoughts. :)
Our unit provides goggles or face sheilds, so that's a good thing. The thing with the shields is they give me a headache being on that headband. (what can I say...I've got a big head! LOL) and the masks are the kind that go behind your ears, so you can't tie them. I wish we had the ones that tie! I had to use those in the CNA class I had to take at school & those seemed to be a lot easier for me to breathe with on.
There are another kind of mask/sheild that they've got that I am going to try today...it's one of those behind the ear masks with the visor top. I'll try that & see if maybe it will work better.
jnette...our reuse guy has that big blue full cover thing too. :) We wear the non-perm labcoats, which are kinda cool. They aren't too warm to wear, thank goodness.
We are supposed to wear PPE when we change out the machines and put in or pull needles. I wear gloves when wiping down the machines, but we're not required to wear the mask then, thank goodness.

Amy, there are several kinds of face shields out there... have your folks find one for you that you can wear comfortably. Mine gave me a headache at first, but over time, I think they "stretch" or "give" a little, or something.

You could even look through some PPE supply catalogues and pick one out that you think would work for you.

And yes, I HATE those "behind the ear" masks !!! Makes the mask feel like it's sucked right up there on your mouth, smothering you. We don't use those.. we use the blue cone masks, which you can apply loosely.

Hang in there ! :)