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At nucleic acid testing sites, emergency rooms, or operating rooms, in addition to masks, a piece of transparent "shield" is often seen on healthcare workers' faces — this is the medical face shield. Unlike masks that fit closely around the nose and mouth, it provides a wider coverage area, building a robust defensive barrier for healthcare workers' faces and serving as a crucial piece of equipment in medical settings to block splashes of droplets and bodily fluids.

The structure of a medical face shield is not complicated; it usually consists of three parts: a transparent shield body, an adjustable headband, and a fastening strap. The shield body is mostly made of polycarbonate (PC) or polyester (PET) materials. These materials not only have good light transmittance (with a light transmittance of over 90%), which does not interfere with healthcare workers' ability to observe patients or operate medical instruments, but also possess a certain degree of impact resistance, capable of blocking physical hazards such as surgical debris and glass shards. The headband and fastening strap are usually made of elastic materials, which can be adjusted according to the healthcare worker's head circumference to ensure a secure fit without causing excessive pressure.

In medical settings, its core value lies in "all-round protection". Unlike masks, which mainly filter respiratory airflow, medical face shields can cover the entire facial area from the forehead to the chin, including parts that masks cannot protect, such as the eyes, cheeks, and bridge of the nose. For example, during nucleic acid sampling, droplets produced when patients cough or sneeze may be directly sprayed onto healthcare workers' faces; during surgery, patients' blood and bodily fluids may also splash due to operational procedures — in such cases, face shields can directly block these contaminants from coming into contact with the skin and mucous membranes, significantly reducing the risk of conjunctivitis, skin infections, and other illnesses. Especially when dealing with patients with respiratory infectious diseases (such as influenza or COVID-19 patients), face shields are often used in conjunction with N95 masks to form a dual protection system for "respiratory tract + facial area".

However, two points should be noted when using them: first, medical face shields are divided into disposable and reusable types. Disposable face shields must be disposed of as medical waste after use, while reusable ones need to be disinfected by wiping the shield surface with 75% medical alcohol to avoid cross-infection; second, face shields cannot replace masks. Since face shields do not have the function of filtering small particulate aerosols in the air, they must be used together with masks to achieve comprehensive protection.

From daily clinical practice to public health emergencies, although medical face shields seem simple, they have become "facial guardians" for healthcare workers due to their characteristics of "wide coverage and high transparency". Understanding their functions and usage standards not only ensures the safety of healthcare workers but also helps the public better comprehend the rigor of medical protection.