[The problems of individual respiratory protection in medical workers]

The paper discusses a problem of high occupational and occupation-induced overall morbidity in medical workers and shows that a discrepancy between the existing system for individual protection of the personnel and specific working conditions and hazardous factors is one of the causes. The authors have developed regional guidelines "Enhancing the efficiency of individual respiratory protection in the workers of health care facilities" which provide evidence-based guidelines for the usage of certified, ergonomically acceptable respiratory protective means at the health care facilities. The main task of medical recommendations is to change the established stereotype in using lowly effective gauze bandages and surgical protective facial masks as respiratory protective means at the therapeutic-and-prophylactic institutions for the personnel.