Evaluation of appropriate usage of PPE among healthcare providers during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), inadequate staff training regarding PPE usage, and confused PPE guidance led to infections and deaths among healthcare workers in many countries. Protection of healthcare workers is needed as they are delivering essential services during the pandemic time. So, the main aim of our study is to evaluate the appropriate use of PPE among healthcare providers (HCPs) during COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among the HCPs of India during September and October. A 15-item self-administered questionnaire was used, and Excel 2019 and SPPS 24 were used for statistical analysis. A χ2 test was performed to determine the role of sociodemographic characteristics on appropriate usage of PPE. Results: One hundred and eighteen HCPs have participated in our study. About 44.9% of the study participants know the proper way of donning the PPE, and 38.9% of the study participants know the proper way of doffing the PPE. About 40.6% of the study participants were aware of place for PPE removal and how to dispose a PPE; 69.49% of the study participants were aware of guidelines of donning and doffing of PPE recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization. Conclusion: The prevalence of breathing difficulty, headaches, suffocation, dehydration, hair problems, and skin irritation/maceration among frontline healthcare personnel using PPE during pandemic was seen. Appropriate usage of PPE is vital in safeguarding the HCPs and restriction of the spread of viral infection in the hospital setting.