Protection from epistaxis blood aerosol contamination: a novel use of a surgical facemask.
Epistaxis is one of the most common otorhinolaryngological emergencies. It is also one of the most common emergencies that places medical staff at risk of blood contamination. We report a simple yet extremely effective method in which a standard surgical facemask is worn by the patient, thereby reducing blood aerosol contamination without interfering with effective management.
Department of Ear, Nose and Throat and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK. shahbazhassan@hotmail.com
M Shahbaz
MS
Hassan
MatthewM I
MI
Trotter
D000336:Aerosols / Q000009:adverse effects; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000295:instrumentation; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003264:Containment of Biohazards / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000379:methods / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008397:Masks
D000336:Aerosols