Why operating theatre masks?

[puternut]

I noticed on recent real life medical programmes that there are 3 ways to wear a surgical face mask whilst in thw thatre. according to the sugeons anyway

1. top of mask just below eyelevel - hides most of the face
2. top of mask just above top lip - hides mouth but nose is 'open'
3. top of mask just below bottom lip - just about covers your chin

This prompted me to think what i the purpose of the mask? Prevent the surgeon passing infection to the patient or is it vice versa!. Which means option 1 good - option 2 fair - option 3 a joke

Answers on a postcard to . . . . . . .

[Sqad]

I bet that the "real life TV was shot in the UK............sloppy surgeons on the wjhole.

Functions of the mask is to stop the surgeon infecting the patient via an open wound, especially important in Cardiothoracic Surgery and Orthopaedic surgery, but not so important in other branches of surgery.

Yepp options 2 and 3 are jokes....no point in wearing a mask unless to say "Hey folks look how important I am, I work in an operating theatre.

Sloppiness in the UK is the main reason for deaths due to MRSA.

[carrust]

Masks should be made compulsory in Wales!! lol