[Masks as personal protective equipment in the COVID-19 pandemic: How, when and which should be used]

J Healthc Qual Res. 2020 Jul-Aug;35(4):245-252. doi: 10.1016/j.jhqr.2020.06.001. Epub 2020 Jun 25.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Background and objective: In the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand of masks has been increased by health professionals and the general population. In this context, it is necessary to summarize the features and indications of the different types of masks.

Material and methods: To consult and to compile the different recommendations disseminated by prestigious institutions such as the World Health Organization, the European Center for Disease Prevention, the Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, or the Ministry of Health of the Government of Spain has been reviewed.

Results: The institutions consulted recommend reserving FFP respirators for healthcare workers, especially when carrying out aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) (minimum FFP2 protection) and consider some reutilization systems during times of scarcity. The use of surgical masks is recommended to professionals who do not perform AGPs and to the symptomatic population but exist variations in its indications intended for the general healthy population.

Conclusion: In the context of shortage of personal protective equipment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a prioritization and rationalization of the use of each type of mask should be established according to the user and the activity performed.

Antecedentes y objetivo: Durante la pandemia COVID-19 se ha producido un aumento de la demanda de mascarillas por parte de profesionales sanitarios y de la población general. En este contexto, se hace necesario sintetizar las características y las indicaciones de uso de los distintos tipos de mascarillas existentes.

Material y métodos: Se consultaron y recopilaron las diferentes recomendaciones difundidas por instituciones de reconocido prestigio, como la Organización Mundial de la Salud, The European Centre for Disease Prevention, The Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine o el Ministerio de Sanidad del Gobierno de España.

Resultados: Las instituciones consultadas aconsejan reservar las mascarillas filtering face piece (FFP) para el personal sanitario, especialmente en la realización de procedimientos generadores de aerosoles (PGA) (protección mínima de FFP2), y plantean posibles sistemas de reutilización durante épocas de escasez. Asimismo, se recomienda el uso de mascarillas quirúrgicas en profesionales que no realicen PGA y en población sintomática, existiendo variación en las indicaciones de uso para población general sana.

Conclusión: En situaciones de escasez de equipos de protección individual por pandemia de COVID-19 se debe establecer una priorización y racionalización de uso de cada tipo de mascarilla en función del usuario y de la actividad a realizar.

Keywords: COVID-19; COVID-19 pandemic; Equipo de protección individual (EPI); Filtering face piece (FFP); Filtering face piece (FFP) mask; Mascarillas quirúrgicas; N95; N95 mask; Respiratory protective equipment; Surgical mask.

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Equipment Contamination
  • Equipment Reuse / standards
  • Filtration / instrumentation
  • Guidelines as Topic*
  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Hygiene / standards
  • Masks / classification
  • Masks / standards*
  • Masks / supply & distribution
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Personal Protective Equipment / standards
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • Respiratory Protective Devices / standards*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Spain / epidemiology