INCIDENCE OF PERCEIVED AND ACTUAL FACE SHIELD CONTAMINATION DURING VAGINAL AND CESAREAN DELIVERY

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of pote ntial contamination or splashes to the face of obstetricians during va ginal and cesarean delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Clear plastic face shields were worn during 50 consecutive vaginal and 50 consecutive cesarean de liveries. The face shields were then analyzed for evidence of contamin ation, and rates of contamination were compared. RESULTS: The contamin ation rate of the face shields was 50% during cesarean deliveries and 32% during vaginal deliveries. Ninety-two percent of the contaminated face shields were undetected by physicians at the time of cesarean del ivery and 50% were undetected at the time of the vaginal delivery. CON CLUSIONS: Obstetricians commonly receive blood or amniotic fluid splas hes to the face during deliveries and should wear protective eyeglasse s or face shields during all deliveries to minimize the risk of exposu re to potentially infectious blood and body fluids.