At one of the most frightening points in your life, sick and battling the lethal COVID-19 virus, maybe even on a ventilator, alone because visitors are not allowed, what a joy it would be to see a smiling, reassuring face bent over you in your hospital bed.
Until now, that was not possible. The personal protective equipment (PPE) required to protect clinical teams and patients against the spread of the highly infectious virus includes solid surgical masks, caps and suits that hide the wearer’s nose and mouth. Generally, the only visible facial feature was the individual’s eyes. While many colleagues started wearing larger pictures of their face on the front of their PPE to personalize their interactions with patients, it was still surreal.
This week, Hartford HealthCare revealed a new clear mask that will be used by colleagues working in clinical areas throughout the system. (That’s Hartford Hospital Emergency Department Nurse Dennis Coleman, above.) They are just as able to protect against the COVID-19 virus spread as solid masks but they help humanize the patient experience, according to Ariel Pino, manager of guest services at Hartford Hospital.
“These fully transparent masks will help the healthcare professionals communicate with the patients, making communication more natural,” Pino said, adding that the special masks will be particularly helpful for deaf and hard-of-hearing patients who rely on lip-reading as part of their personal interactions.
“This will help improve the patient-provider relationship, the quality of care and the patient experience,” he said.
The masks – which he said are available from the manufacturer for purchase by anyone, with priority given to healthcare organizations – are fluid resistant, anti-fog and comfortable to wear, with foam cushions that fit against the wearer’s head.