Int J Infect Control 2013, v9:i1 doi: 10.3396/ijic.v9i1.003.13 Page 1 of 6 not for citation purposes Effciency of Face Mask – an Analysis Kelkar et al. Uday Kelkar 1 , Bageshri Gogate 2,3 , Satish Kurpad 2 , Parikshit Gogate 2,4 , Madan Deshpande 2 1. Central Govt. Health Scheme, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Pune, India 2. H.V.Desai Eye Hospital, Pune, India 3. Department of Pathology, Smt. Kashibai Nawale Medical College, Pune 4. Dr Gogate’s Eye Clinic, Pune, India International Journal of Infection Control ISSN 1996-9783 www.ijic.info doi: 10.3396/ijic.v9i1.003.13 How effective are face masks in operation theatre? A time frame analysis and recommendations OrIGINAl ArtIClE Abstract This study was conducted to check the effcacy of face masks in limiting bacterial dispersal when worn continuously in Operation Theater. A comparison was done to fnd out difference between fabric and two ply disposable masks. The frst sample was collected prior to wearing the mask, using cough plate method holding a blood agar plate approximately 10 -12 centimeters away from the mouth. the personnel were asked to produce “ahh” phonation. Participants were then asked to don the face mask, continue routine work and report to the study center located inside the theater for further sample collections at designated intervals of 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 minutes after wearing the fabric mask made of cotton. the study was replicated on immediate next day using two ply disposable mask keeping all the other conditions and personnel exactly the same. Bacterial counts before wearing the mask were 5.36±4.38 and 5.7±2.99 on day 1 and day 2 of study. Bacterial counts were 0.96±1.06 (P<0.001) and 0.7±0.87 (P<0.001) at 30 min; 2.33±1.42 (P<0.001) and 2.36±1.03 (P<0.001) at 60 min; 3.23±1.54 (P=0.007) and 4.16±1.78 (P=0.011) at 90 min; 5.63±4.02 (P=0.67) and 4.9±1.98 (P=0.161) at 120 min and 7.03±4.45 (P=0.019) and 5.6±2.21 (P=0.951) at 150min respectively for fabric and two ply disposable mask. Counts were near pre-wear level in about two hours irrespective of the type of mask. There was no signifcant difference between cotton fabric and two ply disposable masks. Face masks signifcantly decreased bacterial dispersal initially but became almost ineffective after two hours of use. Key words Masks and microbiology; Cross infection and prevention and control; Bacterial load; Disposable equipment; textiles Corresponding Author Dr. Bageshri Gogate Department of Pathology, Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College, Narhe, Pune 411051. INDIA. +919822862623 Email: bageshrigogate@hotmail.com