Three mask classifications
1. Procedure masks
- Three or four layers of construction
- Two ear loops secure mask to face
- Not suitable for OR
- For hospital floors, isolation, sterile core and processing, labor and delivery, ER and ICU
2. Surgical masks
- Three or four layers of construction
- Two straps secure mask to face
- Primarily used by OR staff
- Intended for a high risk of fluid exposure
3. Surgical N95 respirator
- Evacuates surgical smoke from energy-generating devices during operative or other invasive procedures (ESUs, lasers, ultrasonic scalpels/dissectors)
- Secondary protection against residual surgical smoke
- Also for higher-risk, aerosolgenerating procedures on patients with known or suspected aerosol transmittable diseases1