The use of surgical face masks remains contentious. The two authors are currently undertaking a systematic review with the Cochrane Collaboration to ascertain their actual effectiveness. This article describes the journey so far in an attempt to encourage other theatre nurses to embark on similar projects.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
CullumN.1997Identification and Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials in Nursing: a preliminary studyQuality in Health Care62–6.
2.
GreenhalghP.1998How to Read a PaperLondon, BMJ Publishing
3.
LippA.1997Can Theatre Nurses Ever be Fully Clinically Effective?British Journal of Theatre Nursing7(9) 23–24
4.
LippA., EdwardsP.2001Surgical Face Masks for Preventing Surgical Wound Infection in Clean Surgery (protocol) Cochrane Database of Systematic Review Disc Issue 1, BMJ Publishing Group/Update SoftwareLondonhttp://update.cochrane.co.uk/info
5.
Muir-GrayJ.A.1997Evidence Based Health CareLondon, Churchill Livingstone
6.
NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination1995Database of Abstracts of Systematic Reviews of Effectiveness NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, York, University of Yorkhttp://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/dissem.htm
7.
NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination1996Undertaking Systematic Reviews of Research on Effectiveness, CRD Report 4 York, University of York
8.
National Health Service Executive1995Promoting Clinical EffectivenessLondon, NHSE
9.
SackettD., RosenbergW., Muir-GrayJ., HaynesB., RichardsonW.Evidence Based Medicine: what it is and what it isn't (based on an editorial from the British Medical Journal 199631271–2) CEBM