The defects of lace-up surgical masks and related solutions in operating rooms

Summary Background It is difficult to make a lace-up surgical mask fit tightly to the face with conventional wearing methods because of the strings' poor tension, resulting in some air flowing through the gap. We introduced two feasible new wearing methods and obtained satisfactory experimental results. Methods The wearing of surgical masks by staff was investigated through observation and interview in operation rooms. The required time to don, close-fitting rates, and satisfaction of the conventional method and the two new recommended methods were counted and compared, according to the subjects' experience. The differences between the three wearing methods on the microbial contamination of the sterile area were explored in a mock operation. Results In the subjects' experience, the close-fitting rates were 47.0%, 92.0% and 100.0% in the conventional, Three Knots, and Elastic Band groups, respectively (P Conclusions The recommended new wearing methods had the advantages of closer fit, higher satisfaction rates, were more comfortable, and resulted in lower contamination of the sterile area; however, the recommended two methods required more time.