Availability consistency and evidence-base of policies and guidelines on the use of mask and respirator to protect hospital health care workers: a global analysis

摘要

BackgroundCurrently there is an ongoing debate and limited evidence on the use of masks and respirators for the prevention of respiratory infections in health care workers (HCWs). This study aimed to examine available policies and guidelines around the use of masks and respirators in HCWs and to describe areas of consistency between guidelines, as well as gaps in the recommendations, with reference to the WHO and the CDC guidelines.