DELIVERING INTENSIVE CARE TO COVID-19 PATIENTS WHILE PROTECTING THEMSELVES: CHALLENGES FACED BY FRONT LINE ANAESTHESIOLOGISTS

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Frontline anaesthesiologist working in Covid 19 Intensive care units are the key to the management and containment of this infectious disease. Hence, their protection is of utmost importance in managing this epidemic. The equipment used for this purpose, pose technical difculties. This study is a survey of these challenges faced by anaesthesiologists. Material and Methods: This is a descriptive, cross sectional questionnaire based study which included 67 Anesthesiologist junior residents, senior residents and consultants. A valid Google form Questionnaire regarding technical difculties due to use of personal protective equipment was prepared and sent online to all participants. The responses were recorded and tabulated. Results: Physical fatigue due to PPE was experienced by 36(53.7%) residents and difculties in airway management by 66(98.5%) residents. Fogging of goggles was the major difculty (52.2%) during airway management. Intubation while using only PPE (71.6%) was a preferred method of intubation rather than using acrylic box (4.5%) or transparent sheet (23.9%). Apart from managing airway, other procedures like central venous cannulation was found to be always difcult (23.9%). Training program for managing pandemic was found to be helpful and 70.1% residents expressed the need for its conduct before every posting. Conclusion: Managing Covid 19 patients in a highly demanding area like intensive care units while using personal protective equipment has unveiled special challenges and concerns for frontline anaesthesiologists. Addressing them appropriately is the need of hour for the wellbeing of healthcare workers and effective patient management.