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Re: Ann Intern Med. Surgical masks were noninferior to N95 respirators for preventing influenza in health care providers.
SINGAPORE, March 29 (UPI) -- Surgical masks may be as effective as N95 respirators in preventing hospital staff from catching H1N1, researchers in Singapore said.
Study author Dr. Brenda Sze Peng Ang of the Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore and colleagues analyzed the incidence of H1N1 among the hospital's healthcare workers.
From June 19 to July 21, 2009, hospital healthcare workers wore N95 respirators in the emergency room and an H1N1 isolation area, but from July 22 to Aug. 31, surgical masks were used in the same areas.
The study, published online ahead of the April issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, found the incidence of H1N1 among the hospital workers remained low during both periods, and in all cases transmission was believed to have occurred among the general public and not among patients.
"What is more important than using high-filtration or respirator masks for known or suspected cases is to have a uniform policy, such as using surgical masks, when in close contact with all patients," the researchers said in a statement.
SINGAPORE, March 29 (UPI) -- Surgical masks may be as effective as N95 respirators in preventing hospital staff from catching H1N1, researchers in Singapore said.
Study author Dr. Brenda Sze Peng Ang of the Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore and colleagues analyzed the incidence of H1N1 among the hospital's healthcare workers.
From June 19 to July 21, 2009, hospital healthcare workers wore N95 respirators in the emergency room and an H1N1 isolation area, but from July 22 to Aug. 31, surgical masks were used in the same areas.
The study, published online ahead of the April issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, found the incidence of H1N1 among the hospital workers remained low during both periods, and in all cases transmission was believed to have occurred among the general public and not among patients.
"What is more important than using high-filtration or respirator masks for known or suspected cases is to have a uniform policy, such as using surgical masks, when in close contact with all patients," the researchers said in a statement.
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