Proper Use and Compliance of Facial Masks During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Observational Study of Hospitals in New York City.

Proper mask usage is a cornerstone of the prevention of COVID-19 transmission. Hospitals, in particular, are important settings for proper mask compliance due to the risk for viral exposure. Despite the presence of health care personnel and financial resources to ensure proper compliance, mask usage is variable in health care settings. The impact of mask compliance is particularly important in New York City (NYC) because of the burden of COVID-19 and at-risk demographics. We conducted a prospective observational study in 4 NYC hospitals assessing rates of proper mask compliance among adult patients entering the hospital. Six hundred unique individuals were observed for proper mask fit, exposure of the nose and mouth, and the presence of nontraditional face coverings in lieu of a mask at 4 NYC hospitals. Proper mask usage is a large health education gap that must be addressed by health care administrations and governmental agencies, as mask usage continues to be an effective form of COVID-19 prevention.

Therapies for Psoriasis: Clinical and Economic Comparisons.

BACKGROUND: Clinical and economic comparisons of therapies for plaque psoriasis are regularly updated following each new devel- opment in the field. With the recent availability of a novel accessory (Multi Micro DoseTM [MMD®] tip) for the 308nm excimer laser (XTRAC®, Strata Skin Sciences, Horsham, PA), which can determine and deliver an optimal therapeutic dose (OTDTM) of ultraviolet-B light in an improved protocol, the need for comparative health-economic assessment recurs. To this end, a comprehensive evaluation of treatment-related costs was undertaken from the payer perspective. Results show that outcomes are influenced by many factors; most importantly, the severity and extent of disease, treatment selection, and patient preference, as well as compliance, adherence, and persistence with care. Among study comparators, the 308nm excimer laser – XTRAC – with its latest MMD enhancement, is safe and delivers incremental clinical benefits with the potential for significant cost savings. These benefits are particularly relevant today in the context of SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVid-19 pandemic. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(11):1101-1108. doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.5510.