Analyzing the challenges and current safety practices in the construction sector: a multifaceted stakeholder perspective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the availability, accessibility and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the wards at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH). We conducted an observational study with a cross-section design. Convenience sampling method was used for selection of healthcare workers (HCWs) in wards. HCWs filled a checklist on accessibility of PPEs and they were observed on proper use of PPE while conducting clinical procedures. Nurse ward in-charge was asked to fill out a checklist on availability of PPE in their ward. PPE was available in 75.8% of wards, not available in 12.5%. Goggles were absent in 70.8% of wards. PPEs were 71.4% accessible and 28.6% inaccessible to healthcare workers in the wards. The most inaccessible PPEs were goggles (83.2%) and footwear (73.7%) while facemasks, sterile and non-sterile gloves and aprons were readily accessible. Non sterile gloves were 100% available and accessible. Only 13.5% of the HCWs had good compliance with PPE standard procedures. The average PPE compliance score of those who had been trained was 6 % greater than those who were not trained. This study identified areas of improvement in healthcare system delivery regarding standard precautions with emphasis on PPE. Improvements in training during professional college education and in-service refresher training could improve compliance with appropriate use of PPE for relatively low cost. Management support could improve availability and accessibility of PPE in the wards at QECH, with active supervision to improve adherence levels to personal protective equipment usage. The study can also help in the development of policies and guidelines regarding PPE usage by showing that most HCWs need to be trained in proper PPE usage.

Availability and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is of particular importance in Low and Middle-Income countries (LMICs) where disease outbreaks other than COVID-19 are frequent and health workers are scarce. This study assesses the availability of necessary PPE items during the COVID-19 pandemic at health facilities in seven LMICs. Data were collected using a rapid-cycle survey among 1554 health facilities in seven LMICs via phone-based surveys between August 2020 and December 2021. We gathered data on the availability of World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended PPE items and the use of items when examining patients suspected to be infected with COVID-19. We further investigated the implementation of service adaptation measures in a severe shortage of PPE. There were major deficiencies in PPE availability at health facilities. Almost 3 out of 10 health facilities reported a stock-out of medical masks on the survey day. Forty-six percent of facilities did not have respirator masks, and 16% did not have any gloves. We show that only 43% of health facilities had sufficient PPE to comply with WHO guidelines. Even when all items were available, healthcare workers treating COVID-19 suspected patients were reported to wear all the recommended equipment in only 61% of health facilities. We did not find a statistically significant difference in implementing service adaptation measures between facilities experiencing a severe shortage or not. After more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall availability of PPE remained low in our sample of low and middle-income countries. Although essential, the availability of PPE did not guarantee the proper use of the equipment. The lack of PPE availability and improper use of available PPE enable preventable COVID-19 transmission in health facilities, leading to greater morbidity and mortality and risking the continuity of service delivery by healthcare workers.

Background: Healthcare settings pose a significant risk to healthcare workers due to various workplace hazards. Personal protective equipment (PPE) remains a potent strategy for preventing workplace hazards. Despite the widely known importance of PPE, studies have shown that its availability and use may need to be revised. This study investigated the availability and utilisation of PPE among healthcare workers in Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ogun State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 healthcare workers using a stratified proportionate sampling technique. Data was obtained and analysed using IBM SPSS software version 25. Descriptive (frequency tables and summary indices) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test) were generated. Chi-square was used to test and determine any significant association between the categorical variables. The level of statistical significance is set at p<0.05. Results: More than half (53.4%) of respondents were aged between 21–30 years, (64.3%) were females, and (43.4%) were nurses. Most (87%) had a high awareness of workplace hazards. All (100%) respondents reported the availability of hand gloves, while (60%) used PPE every time. The majority (85.7%) of respondents had good-fitted PPE, while (79.7%) claimed to have experienced occupational injury in the past, but (70.9%) received treatment. There was a statistically significant association between awareness of workplace hazards, availability (P=0.001), and utilisation (P=0.0001) of PPE. Conclusion: The availability of PPE was optimal. However, it was only sometimes used when carrying out a procedure. Hence, more organisational efforts should be geared towards optimally utilising PPE in the workplace.

BackgroundAvailability and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is of particular importance in Low and Middle-Income countries (LMICs) where disease outbreaks other than COVID-19 are frequent and health workers are scarce. This study assesses the availability of necessary PPE items during the COVID-19 pandemic at health facilities in seven LMICs.MethodsData were collected using a rapid-cycle survey among 1554 health facilities in seven LMICs via phone-based surveys between August 2020 and December 2021. We gathered data on the availability of World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended PPE items and the use of items when examining patients suspected to be infected with COVID-19. We further investigated the implementation of service adaptation measures in a severe shortage of PPE.ResultsThere were major deficiencies in PPE availability at health facilities. Almost 3 out of 10 health facilities reported a stock-out of medical masks on the survey day. Forty-six percent of facilities did not have respirator masks, and 16% did not have any gloves. We show that only 43% of health facilities had sufficient PPE to comply with WHO guidelines. Even when all items were available, healthcare workers treating COVID-19 suspected patients were reported to wear all the recommended equipment in only 61% of health facilities. We did not find a statistically significant difference in implementing service adaptation measures between facilities experiencing a severe shortage or not.ConclusionAfter more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall availability of PPE remained low in our sample of low and middle-income countries. Although essential, the availability of PPE did not guarantee the proper use of the equipment. The lack of PPE availability and improper use of available PPE enable preventable COVID-19 transmission in health facilities, leading to greater morbidity and mortality and risking the continuity of service delivery by healthcare workers.

COVID-19 and Long-term Planning for Procedure-based Specialties During Extended Mitigation and Suppression Strategies

Currently, the incidence of morbidity and mortality due to the Covid-19 disease outbreak in Indonesia is still quite high, with the intensity of transmission being very fast in the community. The occurrence of contact between patients and health workers becomes very vulnerable to the emergence of illness and death in health workers. The importance of the use and availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) in hospitals needs to be continuously pursued. The purpose of the study was to determine the supply of personal protective equipment for the service of national health insurance patients during the Covid-19 pandemic at the Bahteramas Regional Public Service Agency (RPSA) Hospital, Southeast Sulawesi Province. This type of qualitative research with a case study approach. The study was conducted at the Bahteramas RPSA Hospital, Southeast Sulawesi Province, Kendari City, with the reason that this hospital is a referral center for Covid-19 patient services. The informants in the study consisted of 3 regular informants and 6 key informants. Data was collected using observation, document review and in-depth interviews. Data analysis is done by matrix Content Analysis. The results of the study show that the procurement of PPE for Hospitals is carried out through E-catalogs and direct procurement. The vacancy of PPE is caused by internal factors where the hospital procurement party minimizes stock procurement as needed with evaluations carried out every month. Evaluation is carried out to determine the availability of sufficient stock until the deadline for the next PPE purchase, but if the stock is insufficient then the purchase of PPE can be made before the stock period is empty. The external factor causing the stock vacancy is caused by the delay in the distribution of PPE. Conclusion: Procurement of supplies for PPE needs for RPSA Hospitals, apart from making their own procurement from the hospital, also borrows and requests assistance from related agencies. The availability of hospital PPE is influenced by internal factors and external factors. Suggestion; The Hospital Logistics Section should always monitor the procurement of PPE to ensure the availability of PPE is still met as needed.

Introduction: The construction sector remains one of the most hazardous industries worldwide, with significantly higher rates of fatal and major injuries. In Indonesia, construction accidents contribute to a considerable proportion of national occupational incidents. This study evaluates the implementation of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) programs in a rural water supply infrastructure project. Method: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted involving 54 construction workers selected through total sampling. The study assessed three key variables: availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), PPE usage, and OHS training participation. Data were collected through structured interviews and direct observation. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-Square test with a significance level 0.05. Results: The study found significant associations between OHS program implementation and PPE availability (p = 0.003), PPE usage (p = 0.001), and OHS training (p = 0.008). Workers with complete PPE availability and proper usage and those who had received safety training demonstrated a higher adherence to OHS protocols. Conclusion: The successful implementation of OHS programs in construction sites, particularly in rural water infrastructure projects, relies heavily on the availability and use of PPE and structured safety training. Strengthening these components can lead to a safer work environment and significantly reduce workplace accidents

Introduction: Physiotherapists are exposed to contracting infectious diseases because of the level of contact they have with patients in the course of performing their statutory clinical duties. Objective: The major objective of the study is to determine the availability and utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE) by Nigerian physiotherapists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: One hundred and eighty-one (181) Nigerian physiotherapists participated in an online survey using Google Form application that lasted between September 2020 and October 2020. The data collection instrument was a 22-item close-ended online questionnaire with three domains: demographics, availability of PPE, and utilization of PPE. The authors made use of different WhatsApp platforms hosting only physiotherapists as a means of reaching out to the respondents. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using STATA 13. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant (confidence level = 95). Results: The result of the study shows there were high availability and utilization of facemasks and hand gloves for the Nigerian physiotherapists during the period of COVID-19 pandemic in the different health facilities; it also shows there was low availability of apron and poor availability of protective eye shield/goggles and shoes during the same period. The finding also showed there was low utilization of apron, protective glasses and shoes by the Nigerian physiotherapists during the peak of COVID-pandemic. Conclusions: Most Nigerian physiotherapists had more face masks and hand gloves during COVID-19 pandemic than they had protective aprons, goggles and shoes. Also, there was high utilization of facemasks and the hand gloves more than an apron, eye shield and protective shoes because the more the PPE was available the more the utilization by the Nigerian Physiotherapists.

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an unprecedented strain on healthcare systems worldwide, with frontline healthcare workers, including Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), facing numerous challenges. One of the most significant issues has been the availability and adequacy of personal protective equipment (PPE). This study explores the relationship between PPE availability and moral distress among EMTs during the COVID-19 pandemic and proposes a logic model to address it. In this narrative review, a goal-based search was conducted in several databases, and related articles were selected, and the desired relationships and strategies were extracted from them. Finally, a logic model was presented. Inadequate PPE availability on EMTs can lead to heightened moral distress, psychological strain, and ethical dilemmas, affecting their well-being and the quality of care they provide. To mitigate moral distress effectively, strategies such as ensuring a reliable PPE supply chain, efficient distribution systems, prioritizing PPE allocation, establishing clear protocols, promoting mental health support, and ethical decision-making are crucial. The logic model is drawn by establishing relationships between inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes of the program. The availability of PPE is critical to the health and safety of EMTs during emergencies, especially pandemics. The proposed logic model can guide stakeholders to work together, address PPE availability and moral distress among EMTs, and improve well-being and quality of care.

At the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the disease was spread across the universe. This virus has level of blistering transmission because it can be transmitted through the air. To contain the outbreak, the people need to be self-isolated to minimize interaction with other people. In this case, the health workers are on the front line to combat this COVID-19 pandemic. It is because they must be dealing with the affected patients directly by taking care of them during their self-isolation period. The health workers must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to avoid the virus transmission. In this turmoil, the availability of personal protective equipment or PPE is quite worrying. Therefore, the Indonesian government and every government around the world are arm in arm organize a worldwide aid in the form of PPE distribution through referral hospitals, with the objective of making the health workers safer. This research is aimed at conducting a simulation of distribution to obtain PPE route distribution in a more effective and efficient ways to get an optimal route. In this case, this research had been conducted by comparing two methods: Saving matrix and tabu search for Hazmat suit distribution. Apart from getting an optimal route, the cost and time could be pushed more effectively to clock the fastest time in distribution with the fewest cost of distribution. The simulation of distribution point used was Distribution Center of West Java as an origin point, specifically at the COVID-19 referral hospitals in West Java, which was listed on the PIKOBAR site as the beneficiary of the PPE and the data of health workers in West Java mentioned in Central Agency on Statistics or locally known as BPS as the determinant of the requested PPE numbers. The result of this research showed that Tabu Search method was more optimal compared to Saving Matrix method based on similar approach, Nearest Neighbor, in determining the route that resulted in four distribution routes. This study showed that Saving Matrix research method concluded a mileage of 2.404 km in 80 hours at the cost of Rp. 10.505.968, while Tabu Search concluded a mileage of 2.351 km in 78 hours at the cost of Rp. 10.437.492. © 2021 Karadeniz Technical University. All rights reserved.

Sufficient personal protective equipment training can reduce COVID-19 related symptoms in healthcare workers: A prospective cohort study

Vaccination is the most cost-effective way of preventing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) although there was a considerable delay in its institution in Tanzania. This study assessed health care workers' (HCWs) self-perceived infection risk and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. A concurrent embedded, mixed methods design was utilized to collect data among HCWs in seven Tanzanian regions. Quantitative data was collected using a validated, pre-piloted, interviewer administered questionnaire whereas in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) gathered qualitative data. Descriptive analyses were performed while chi-square test and logistic regression were used to test for associations across categories. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. A total of 1,368 HCWs responded to the quantitative tool, 26 participated in the IDIs and 74 in FGDs. About half of the HCW (53.6%) reported to have been vaccinated and three quarters (75.5%) self-perceived to be at a high risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection. High perceived infection risk was associated with increased COVID-19 vaccine uptake (OR 1.535). Participants perceived that the nature of their work and the working environment in the health facilities increased their infection risk. Limited availability and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was reported to elevate the perceived infection risks. Participants in the oldest age group and from low and mid-level health care facilities had higher proportions with a high-risk perception of acquiring COVID-19 infection. Only about half of the HCWs reported to be vaccinated albeit the majority recounted higher perception of risk to contracting COVID-19 due to their working environment, including limited availability and use of PPE. Efforts to address heightened perceived-risks should include improving the working environment, availability of PPE and continue updating HCWs on the benefits of COVID-19 vaccine to limit their infection risks and consequent transmission to their patients and public.

AGA Institute Rapid Review and Recommendations on the Role of Pre-Procedure SARS-CoV-2 Testing and Endoscopy

Personal Protective Equipment Availability and Utilization Among Interventionalists.

Welding workshops are informal sector businesses with a high potential for danger that require occupational safety and health (OSH) efforts, such as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Some welding accidents are caused by PPE factors. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors that influence the behavior of PPE use in welding workshop workers. This study used an analytical observational type with a cross-sectional design. The population of this study was 41 welding workshop workers who were all used as samples (total sampling). The variables measured were age, work experience, education, knowledge about PPE, attitude towards PPE, availability of PPE, and behavior of PPE use. Statistical analysis used Binary Logistic Regression using SPSS 27 software, at α = 5%. The results of the analysis showed that knowledge about PPE was significantly associated with the behavior of PPE use (OR = 2.12; p = 0.040), attitude towards PPE was significantly associated with the behavior of PPE use (OR = 2.37; p = 0.034), and availability of PPE was significantly associated with the behavior of PPE use (OR = 4.27; p = 0.038). It is concluded that the factors that influence the behavior of PPE use are knowledge about PPE, attitude towards PPE, and availability of PPE.