Abstract
Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at greatest risk of acquiring infection in times of global pandemic of COVID-19 disease. There is an unprecedented demand of several forms of personal protective equipment (PPE) for HCWs leading to possible acute shortage of these equipment. This has paved way for development of local innovative PPEs. Objective: To test feasibility of a low cost, indigenous three-in-one face protective gear (FPG) in HCWs of a neonatal unit of a tertiary care institute in northern India. Methodology: A three-in-one FPG was developed using the commonly available items in a ward or intensive care and few trash items. Items used were sterile surgical sheet, cling wrap piece/transparency sheet, cover of umbilical catheter/any sterile hollow plastic pipe, or straw and adhesive tape. The FPG was tested in 17 HCWs regarding its ease to use, comfort, and feasibility with the help of questionnaire. Results: A total of 17 HCWs participated in this study. Majority (10, 58.8%) were doctors. Eight (47%) participants have never used any form of PPE previously. Thirteen (76.4%) participants found the FPG comfortable to wear; 12 (70.5%) found it comfortable to wear up to 8 h. Three HCWs found it difficult to work when wear the FPG; 1 out of 3 found it suffocating. Conclusion: Three-in-one FPG is an indigenous, low cost, and may be a feasible alternative in low-risk situations when there is scarcity of conventional protective equipment.
Highlights
COVID-19, the disease caused by novel corona virus SARS CoV-2, has led to an unparalleled global contagion involving more than 200 countries and still dispersing speedily
Healthcare workers (HCWs) due to nature of their job are at greatest risk of COVID-19 transmission
Local innovations are needed to meet the shortage of protective tools. This has led to design a low-cost reusable three-inone face protective gear (FPG) which comprise of mask, cap, and face shield using locally available items
Summary
COVID-19, the disease caused by novel corona virus SARS CoV-2, has led to an unparalleled global contagion involving more than 200 countries and still dispersing speedily. The solitary tool which may prevent transmission from affected patients to HCWs is appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Local innovations are needed to meet the shortage of protective tools This has led to design a low-cost reusable three-inone face protective gear (FPG) which comprise of mask, cap, and face shield using locally available items. There is an unprecedented demand of several forms of personal protective equipment (PPE) for HCWs leading to possible acute shortage of these equipment. This has paved way for development of local innovative PPEs. Objective: To test feasibility of a low cost, indigenous three-in-one face protective gear (FPG) in HCWs of a neonatal unit of a tertiary care institute in northern India. Conclusion: Three-in-one FPG is an indigenous, low cost, and may be a feasible alternative in low-risk situations when there is scarcity of conventional protective equipment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
