Joint Commission supports use of masks from home
In the face of continued personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages, the Joint Commission a statement this week in support of allowing health care personnel to bring their own 鈥渟tandard face masks or respirators鈥 to work when their employers cannot routinely provide access to this equipment. The statement did not endorse the routine use of homemade masks, which it termed 鈥渁n extreme measure鈥 to be used 鈥渙nly when standard PPE of proven protective value is unavailable.鈥 The statement also summarized the evidence used in developing the commission鈥檚 mask policy. A blog by the Joint Commission chief nursing officer emphasized its personnel are 鈥渨orking around the clock鈥 to find a solution to PPE shortages.