Abstract

The combination of an exacerbated workload and impermeable nature of the personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by COVID-19 healthcare workers increases heat strain. We aimed to compare the prevalence of heat strain symptoms before (routine care without PPE) versus during the COVID-19 pandemic (COVID-19 care with PPE), identify risk factors associated with experiencing heat strain, and evaluate the access to and use of heat mitigation strategies. Dutch healthcare workers (n = 791) working at COVID-19 wards for ≥1 week, completed an online questionnaire to assess personal characteristics, heat strain symptoms before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the access to and use of heat mitigation strategies. Healthcare workers experienced ~25× more often heat strain symptoms during medical duties with PPE (93% of healthcare workers) compared to without PPE (30% of healthcare workers; OR = 25.57 (95% CI = 18.17–35.98)). Female healthcare workers and those with an age <40 years were most affected by heat strain, whereas exposure time and sports activity level were not significantly associated with heat strain prevalence. Cold drinks and ice slurry ingestion were the most frequently used heat mitigation strategies and were available in 63.5% and 30.1% of participants, respectively. Our findings indicate that heat strain is a major challenge for COVID-19 healthcare workers, and heat mitigations strategies are often used to counteract heat strain.

Highlights

  • IntroductionThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the associated development of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) place a significant burden on the healthcare system

  • Female healthcare workers and those with an age

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Summary

Introduction

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the associated development of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) place a significant burden on the healthcare system. Healthcare workers are exposed to long working hours and a high workload [1]. This could result in, among other things, mental health problems [2], compromised acute care [3] and an increased number of days-off taken by healthcare workers [4], which might potentially increase the risk of cross-contamination and higher burden at work. To protect healthcare workers from cross-contamination of COVID-19 patients, extensive personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, such as isolation gowns, hair caps, eye protection, facemask and gloves.

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