Face shields for infection control: A review

ABSTRACT

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Face shields
• guidance
• infection control
• proper use
• regulations

Acknowledgments

The author expresses his thanks to William Lindsley, PhD, Travis DiLeo, MS, and George Niezgoda of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for their manuscript reviews and suggestions.

Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.