[ January 21, 2022 ] Visitors and patients at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital must now wear medical masks, as opposed to cloth masks, when at the hospital.

The goal of the updated masking policy is to prevent the spread of the highly contagious omicron variant of COVID-19. The new rule applies across the Piedmont system to visitors, patients and staff.

?We know that the filtration effectiveness of cloth masks is lower than that of medical masks and respirators,? said Moiz Master, Chief Medical Officer at Piedmont Mountainside. ?Not only is it lower, it also varies widely. In addition, the fit of cloth masks decreases their effectiveness. While they are a suitable alternative for public use when medical masks are unavailable (they prevent the spread of virus), they should not be used by healthcare workers to inhibit airborne transmission. I am pleased that Piedmont Healthcare and Piedmont?s Infectious Disease Clinical Governance Council are in alignment with the CDC?s updated recommendations for PPE guidelines.?

Surgical masks, KN95 or N95 masks are accepted. If a patient or visitor does not have an appropriate mask, hospital staff will provide one.

For more information about Piedmont Mountainside, visit piedmont.org.