Study to assess the difficulties encountered while using PPE kits among medical professionals

Abstract

The personal protective equipment (PPE) undoubtedly provides a shield of protection for the healthcare workers (HCWs) fighting the disease as a valuable asset to the nation. However, there have been various problems associated with the PPE, ranging from its shortage to problems arising from heat, dehydration, etc while wearing them. There is a need to assess these problems faced by HCWs both qualitatively and quantitatively for their timely and effective redressal. An electronic questionnaire survey was conducted among a cohort of HCWs who had performed COVID-19 duties and used PPE kits in Madhya Pradesh. The cohort consisted of different categories of doctors, nursing personnel, and other paramedical staff. Results; The most common problems associated with using PPE kits was excessive sweating (100%), fogging of goggles, spectacles, or face shields (79 %), suffocation (61%), breathlessness (49 %), fatigue (82 %), headache due to prolonged use (34 %), and pressure marks on the skin at one or more areas on repeated use (56 %). Occasional problems reported were skin allergy/dermatitis caused by the synthetic material of the PPE kit, face shield impinging onto the neck during intubation, and nasal pain, pain at the root of the pinna, and slipperiness of shoe covers.