Patient safety implications of wearing a face mask for prevention in the era of COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and consensus recommendations.

Beatrice Balestracci; Micaela La Regina; Domenico Di Sessa; Nicola Mucci; Francesca Donatella Angelone; Aurelio D’Ecclesia; Vittorio Fineschi; Mariarosaria Di Tommaso; Lorenzo Corbetta; Peter Lachman; Francesco Orlandini; Michela Tanzini; Riccardo Tartaglia; Alessandro Squizzato

Review

Patient safety implications of wearing a face mask for prevention in the era of COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and consensus recommendations.

February 15, 2023

Balestracci B, La Regina M, Di Sessa D, et al. Intern Emerg Med. 2023;18(1):275-296.

View more articles from the same authors.

The COVID-19 pandemic extended face-masking requirements from healthcare providers to the general public and patients. This review summarizes the challenges mask wearing poses to the general public. Challenges include discomfort, communication issues, especially for people with hearing loss, and skin irritation. Despite these issues, the authors state the benefits outweigh the risks of masks and appropriate education may improve mask use.

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Patient safety implications of wearing a face mask for prevention in the era of COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and consensus recommendations.

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