Hospitals and masks

[QueenPawPaws]

Was thinking about this tonight
One hospital I go to has masks and hand gel, staff check at the entrance you have a mask on (your own) or can give you one and off you go

Second hospital staff inside the (glass) doors. So I sanitise my hands outside, put on a mask which is 3 layers plus a new filter and fits well, go inside. They then ask I remove my mask and tell me I have to wear one of theirs. Which is a disposable thin as paper one with massive gaps that doesn't fit

Does anyone know the rationale behind it? I refused and it caused chaos but I'm shielding and wasn't going in without a mask and extra filter

Because by allowing people to wear their own masks means they could potentially be filthy. Many people don't wash them, reuse them constantly, put in dirty pockets etc.

Why not put their mask on top of yours? Keep everyone happy. I know someone who does that as she has to wear the surgical mask for work but gets a skin reaction so this is the the compromise that's been worked out.

Masks with valves allow your potentially contaminated exhaled air out do not serve the purpose of protecting others. Staff would not want to be in an enclosed space with you if you have a mask with valve.

As others have said- valve masks are not recommended. No guarantee if the quality of peoples masks, or their quality. If the surgical masks are 'gold standard' for the staff, then it's the best ones for everyone. It also standardises them so they know the basic level of mask everyone has is the same. Our hospital will not allow entry if you use your own mask- must change to a surgical mask on entry.

www.google.com.au/amp/s/www.livescience.com/amp/avoid-masks-exhalation-valves-cdc-recommends.html

This explains it- basically they are dust masks, not masks to prevent infection.

Valve masks are also known in the medical profession as "me me me" masks.

OP, the patients I see in clinic wear a face covering of their choice, or none at all if they say they are unable to. I would definitely feel more protected if they wore 'approved' masks rather than whatever they manage to rustle up, so I can see the rationale for what this hospital is doing. Could you have done what a previous poster suggested and put the mask they provided over the top of yours?

Mine doesn't have a valve? I mean a 2.5 filter on top of the 3 layers
I did offer to put it on top of my own mask but that was also a no

I'm shielding and wasn't going in without a mask and extra filter

Masks are not to protect you. They are to protect others.

Masks DO protect the wearer though

Why did you cause staff such a problem? Just do as they require surely?

@MrsShelton because I'm ECV, and I didn't want to spend 3 hours in hospital with a 1 layer no filter mask after shielding for 11 months!
I didn't cause issues, I just asked to speak to someone to explain and when I said my own mask had a filter in they happily let me in
They were more confused than annoyed as to why I didn't want to swap masks