CRISIS OR ALTERNATE STRATEGIES 

Crisis or Alternate Strategies (may need to be considered if surgical mask or gown demand exceeds the supply)

• If Surgical Masks and/or Gowns Are Running Low
• Using ANSI/AAMI PB70 standard Level 1 or 2 gown (that is, sterile non-surgical isolation gowns) for surgery/invasive procedures with a low risk of contamination.
• Extend the use of single use gowns for health care providers without changing the gown between patients with the same infectious disease diagnosis or exposure who are maintained in a confined area. If the gown becomes contaminated, replace it.
• Use surgical masks and/or gowns that meet CDC recommendations and/or ANSI standards for fluid resistance and bacterial filtration efficiency.
• Prioritize the use of unexpired surgical masks for health care providers in procedures where it is important to protect the health care provider and/or the patient from risk of exposure to blood and body fluids.
• Use surgical masks beyond the manufacturer-designated shelf life in a setting where there is a lower risk of transmission(e.g., non-surgical). The user should visibly inspect the product prior to use and, if there are concerns (such as degraded materials or visible tears), discard the product.
• Re-use surgical masks during care for multiple patients where they are used to protect the health care provider from an activity with low transmission risk (such as dispensing medications) and thus do not create a risk to the health care provider or patient. If the mask becomes contaminated, replace it.
• Be aware that counterfeit masks and gowns may be on the market, especially during this time of increased demand.