FACE COVERING ADHERENCE IN AN OUTPATIENT OPHTHALMOLOGY CLINIC DURING COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to examine the proper use of face coverings by patients entering one of several outpatient ophthalmology clinics during the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) global pandemic.

Methods: Proper face-covering use was documented for all patients entering thirteen different outpatient ophthalmology clinics in Western Pennsylvania in July 2020. Gender and age of all patients were collected. Patients who were not wearing or improperly wearing a face covering were provided one with instructions on proper use.

Results: Over 5 days, 43 of 2286 patients (2%) that entered one of the participating clinics were observed not or incorrectly wearing face coverings. The average age of patients who were not correctly wearing a face covering was significantly higher. There was no association between gender and face-covering use.

Conclusion: As case counts continue to rise, effective use of face coverings in healthcare settings remains essential. The high percentage of adherence presented in this report is reassuring. However, the elderly, a high-risk population, may require additional, targeted educational measures to increase face-covering adherence.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• face covering
• ophthalmology clinic
• high-risk population

Acknowledgments

There are no acknowledgements for this study.

Authors’ contributions

All authors have contributed substantially to the conception and design of the work, have drafted and revised the manuscript critically, have final approval of the final version, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Disclosure of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Financial support

None of the authors has any proprietary interests or conflicts of interest related to this submission.

Prior publication

This submission has not been published anywhere previously and is not simultaneously being considered for any other publication.