Face shields for infection control: A review

• Published in: Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene Vol. 13; no. 4; pp. 235 - 242
• Main Author: Roberge, Raymond J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 2016; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Devices; Eyes; Face; Face shields; Government agencies; guidance; Guidelines as Topic; Humans; infection control; Infection Control - instrumentation; Infection Control - legislation & jurisprudence; Masks - standards; Medical; Mouth; Nose; Occupational Exposure - legislation & jurisprudence; Occupational Exposure - prevention & control; Occupational safety; Personal protective equipment; proper use; Protective; regulations; Review; Shields; Studies; Subpoenas; proper use; infection control; Face shields; guidance; regulations
• ISSN: 1545-9624; 1545-9632
• DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2015.1095302

Face shields are personal protective equipment devices that are used by many workers (e.g., medical, dental, veterinary) for protection of the facial area and associated mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth) from splashes, sprays, and spatter of body fluids. Face shields are generally not used alone, but in conjunction with other protective equipment and are therefore classified as adjunctive personal protective equipment. Although there are millions of potential users of face shields, guidelines for their use vary between governmental agencies and professional societies and little research is available regarding their efficacy.