Authors

  1. WOCN Board of Directors Task Force

Article Content

Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), especially masks, often causes skin injuries including moisture damage, friction, and pressure.

  
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This document provides practical guidance to maintain skin integrity in the prolonged wear time of protective masks such as N-95 masks, surgical masks, face shields, and similar types of protective equipment. The head/face/cheek areas of an individual are at highest risk. This document is the culmination of input from WOC nurses across the United States, each working to provide guidance for skin integrity issues being seen in this unprecedented time. This is not an evidence-based document.

 

If a health care worker develops blanchable erythema (redness) or an abrasion on the face (eg, nose, cheeks, forehead) when utilizing facial protective equipment (FPE), or if preventive measures are needed for prolonged wear time, consider implementation of the following approach, after washing hands and donning gloves:

 

* Apply ALCOHOL-FREE barrier film to the face (eg, nose, cheeks, forehead, behind the ears). AVOID application of the alcohol-free barrier film to the eyes/eyelids.

 

* Prior to application of the alcohol-free barrier film, ensure that the area of the face to be protected (eg, cheeks, nose, forehead, ears) is free of any makeup, oils, cream, lotions, etc.

 

* Using one of the alcohol-free barrier film packages, gently apply the barrier film to the areas where the metal plate/stay or elasticized portion of the FPE rests on soft tissue/bony areas.

 

* Allow the alcohol-free barrier film to dry for 90 seconds.

 

* Apply the FPE as you have been instructed/trained.

 

* Application of the alcohol-free skin barrier film should be applied only once per day.

 

* DO NOT place a dressing of any type (eg, foam, hydrocolloid) to the face under the N-95 mask/other individual-specific mask, as this may interfere with the mask's fit and seal.

 

 

Contributors:

  
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Originated by: Board of Directors, WOCN Society

 

Original Publication Date: April 2020

 

The WOCN Society thanks many members who have provided comments and guidance for this document. Especially integral are the following Task Force members:

 

Christine Berke, MSN, APRN-NP, CWOCN-AP, AGPCNP-BC

 

Diane Bryant, MS, RN, CWOCN

 

Dea Kent, DNP, RN, NP-C, CWOCN

 

Vittoria (Vicky) Pontieri-Lewis, MS, RN, ACNS-BC, CWOCN