Perceptions of mask use, as well as barriers and enablers to their use
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploratory study to understand the perceptions of mask use, as well as barriers and enablers to their use, in haematology units.
IRAS ID
245823
Contact name
David Partridge
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
156577, The University of Sheffield (Costing Authorisation)
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 24 days
Research summary
The study assesses the opinions of both patients and healthcare workers (HCW) about universal mask use in caring for Haematology inpatients. These patients are undergoing intensive cancer treatment (chemotherapy). Chemotherapy kills not only cancer cells but also healthy cells, usually white blood cells (WBC). A reduction in WBC put these patients at high risk of acquiring infections. Patients admitted for bone marrow transplants are admitted to haematology wards under protective isolation (for minimum 4-6 weeks). Their protective isolation means that they are kept in hospital rooms for treatment and are not allowed to leave their room until they are discharged. Any visiting HCW’s uses disposable gloves and aprons when patients are suspected to have viral infections. HCW’s use face masks but these are not otherwise routine care currently. A previously published US study demonstrated a significant decrease in viral infections among Haematology inpatients when face masks were used universally by anyone entering the rooms. However, the psychological effects and patient and staff perceptions of using masks on a regular basis by anyone visiting these patients is unknown, especially the impact of patients not seeing the faces of those entering their rooms for the duration of their at-risk period in hospital. The proposed study will explore the perceptions of both patients and staff about mask use, positive and negative factors to its use. The study will be conducted on the haematology wards of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. We want to interview both patients under isolated conditions and HCW (doctors, nurses, technicians, cleaners, caterers) who are required to use the masks. Interviews will last for about 30 to 45 minutes and will be conducted with patients in their rooms and HCW in a pre-booked meeting room. The interviewer will also wear a mask on entering the patient’s room in accordance with hospital infection control policy. The study is expected to last for three months.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/YH/0222
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion