Surgical Mask Extended Use, Donning and Doffing Surgical masks are to be worn by staff with close patient care (within 6 feet for more than a few minutes). Due to a limited supply of surgical masks, you should wear the same mask for an entire shift, or until it becomes soiled, wet, or torn. Masks must be left in place. Never touch the outside of the mask or your face during use. If you need to touch the mask to adjust the fit perform hand hygiene prior to and after touching the mask. Masks must not be worn under the chin, hung from an ear, or hung on one’s chest. Remove the mask for eating and drinking by following the donning and doffing procedures below. A mask must be immediately replaced if it becomes visibly soiled, wet, or torn. Masks that are not visibly soiled, wet, or torn may be stored in a paper bag or other breathable container labeled with your name and date in a designated area on your unit. Discard your paper bag when you discard your mask. Surgical masks should not be worn out of the facility or in the community. If you are leaving the facility place your surgical mask in a paper bag or other breathable container for safe keeping and don your cloth mask. If a patient is on airborne precautions or receiving an aerosol-generating procedure, place your surgical mask in a paper bag or other breathable container for safekeeping and don your N95 respirator for that patient’s care. Please see N95 donning and doffing protocol. Surgical Mask Donning (Application) Perform hand hygiene (if donning a used mask from your paper bag, put gloves on first). Carefully grab the mask holding the ear loops. Without touching the outside of the mask, carefully place the mask on your face. Remove gloves if used and perform hand hygiene. If donning a previously worn mask from a paper bag, discard the paper bag. Surgical Mask Doffing (Removal) Perform hand hygiene. Remove mask by holding the ear loops. The front is contaminated so remove it slowly and carefully. If mask is NOT visibly soiled, wet, or torn, carefully store it in a paper bag or other breathable container labeled with your name and date in the designated area on your unit. If it is soiled, wet, or torn discard it. Perform hand hygiene. .