Investigation of the problems experienced by perioperative nurses due to the use of personal protective equipment and their attitudes towards caregiving roles

Abstract

AimThis study aims to investigate the problems experienced by perioperative nurses due to the use of personal protective equipment and their attitudes towards caregiving roles. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted with 175 volunteer nurses working in surgical clinics across Turkey between March–June 2021. Data were collected online with a personal information form, an information form regarding the personal protective equipment usage times of nurses and the problems experienced, and the Attitude Scale for Nurses in Caregiving Roles. ResultsIt was found that 98.3% of nurses had problems with personal protective equipment (excluding gloves); 97.7% of them had problems with sterile or non-sterile gloves, and 65.7% of them stated that pressure injuries developed due to personal protective equipment. It was determined that the rate of nurses considering leaving the profession today is higher than before the outbreak. The Attitude Scale for Nurses in Caregiving Roles obtained a mean score of 65.83 ± 9.41. Those who did not intend to leave the nursing profession had higher scale mean scores than those who thought to leave. ConclusionIt was determined that perioperative nurses experienced skin problems due to the use of personal protective equipment and most of them developed pressure injuries, nearly half of them considered leaving the profession during the COVID-19 pandemic, and considering leaving the profession adversely affected their caregiver roles. According to the results of this study, it is recommended that attempts should be made to develop strategies to prevent skin problems and pressure injuries in perioperative nurses.