COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment During the Pandemic

Our emergency care team is the front line in this crisis at a time when identifying individuals who may have coronavirus disease 2019 is challenging. Given the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that droplet precautions recommend use of a face mask or surgical mask, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) believes that health care personnel in the emergency department (ED) and emergency medical services (EMS) should consider wearing a face mask or surgical mask during their entire shift if they are providing patient care, unless the mask becomes soiled and needs replacement. To preserve personal protective equipment, until the current shortages are reduced, health care personnel in the ED and EMS should consider wearing the same mask for the entire shift. We also understand that close contact during procedures or processes (including a physical examination) that generate potentially infectious aerosols requires a higher level of personal protective equipment that includes an N95 respirator.