Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Info

CDC Videos Encouraging Face Coverings

I Wear a Mask Because... (60 Sec)  ASL Version
Help Protect Yourself and Others (50 Sec)
Know How to Wear Your Face Mask Correctly (67 Sec)

UMA Discourages Medical Exemptions for Mask Wearing

The Utah Medical Association encourages the physicians of Utah to support the wearing of masks at school and other public locations.  We discourage physicians from providing medical exemptions, and in the rare event that they feel the need to provide an exception, that it only be for evidenced-based guidelines and medical society opinions that may be available.  When social distancing is not possible, all persons should wear face coverings when harms do not outweigh benefits.

What Precautions to Take as a Provider

Health care personnel should use standard precaution, contact precautions, airborne precautions and eye protection such as goggles or a face shield before entering the room. Please note that, in situations where fit-tested NIOSH-approved N95 or higher-level respirator for healthcare personnel are in a shortage, surgical masks may be used. Eye protection, gown, and gloves continue to be recommended, but if there are shortages of gowns, they should be prioritized for aerosol-generating procedures, care activities where splashes and sprays are anticipated, and high-contact patient care activities that provide opportunities for transfer of pathogens to the hands and clothing of HCP.

Section 2 of this CDC web page emphasizes important PPE compliance. For full precaution guidance, refer to the CDC’s isolation precautions guideline.

CDC Guidance on PPE:  With limited supplies of PPE, conservation may be key. Use PPE judiciously.