Isolation Gown Research Articles

Micro-bacterial assessment of disposable gowns with a focus on green endoscopy in gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures: A Japanese pilot study for healthcare waste reduction.

This study aimed to implement green endoscopy through the microbiological assessment of gowning techniques during endoscopy to reduce carbon emissions and separate medical waste. Twenty-five patients who performed esophagogastroduodenoscopy from March to May 2024 were included in this study. Four sections of the isolation gowns (anterior, posterior, right, and left) were cut into 2 cm2 after endoscopy, and the rate of microbial contamination was examined using the stamp method. The endoscopic examination time was 8 min (6-12), and endoscopy was performed by 10 expert endoscopists, six endoscopists, and nine residents. The overall isolation gown contamination rate was 56%, with 25%, 20.8%, 20.8%, and 33.3% in the front, back, as well as right and left arms, respectively. The rates of isolation gown contamination rates in the expert endoscopists, endoscopists, and residents groups were 30%, 50%, and 77.8%, respectively, with a higher rate in the residents group. Regardless of the physician's performance, bacterial detection was consistently higher in the left arm (42.9% vs. 40% vs. 25%; p = 0.093). The detected bacteria comprised 58% Gram-positive and 42% Gram-negative organisms, including those from tap water used for endoscopy bacteria and obtained from the participant's skin or mouth. No pathogenic organisms were detected. The bacteria detected in disposable gowns after gastrointestinal endoscopy were non-pathogenic. Thus, our findings suggest that changing all personal protective equipment of respective endoscopes might not be essential. We advocate for green endoscopy to achieve sustainable development goals and reduce medical waste.

THE USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT BY PHARMACISTS AND RADIOGRAPHERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN KENDAL DISTRICT

In order to control the transmission of covid-19 which entered Indonesia in early 2020, the government implemented health protocol regulations. Apart from health protocols, one of the steps that health workers can implement to control the transmission of covid-19 when providing services during the pandemic is to use personal protective equipment while working. This is the background for the author to study further in research that aims to determine the use of personal protective equipment used by pharmacists and radiographers during the covid-19 pandemic while in service in Kendal District. The research method used was descriptive qualitative by giving questionnaires electronically using google form to research respondents. The research results obtained include, the majority of respondents were female with a percentage of 62%, the health workers who participated as research respondents consisted of 38% pharmacists and 62% radiographers. The use of personal protective equipment used by pharmacists during the covid-19 pandemic includes masks and gloves which are adjusted to the risks of the work activities carried out. The use of personal protective equipment used by radiographers during the covid-19 pandemic includes wearing work clothes according to hospital regulations, surgical isolation gowns, N95 respirators, eye protection, medical gloves, closed shoes, face shields when carrying out medical interventions and tools additional personal protection according to the risks of the work activities carried out. So, it can be concluded that the personal protective equipment used by pharmacists and radiographers in Kendal District while on duty during the covid-19 pandemic has met the elements of compliance requirements in efforts to control the transmission of covid-19, such as the use of personal protective equipment based on indications for their use by considering the risk of exposure and possible transmission dynamics. By implementing appropriate personal protective equipment when working, it is hoped that pharmacists and radiographers in Kendal District can be protected from transmission of covid-19.

Mini review on circularity framework for textile waste in healthcare

Abstract The growing impact of the healthcare sector and its environmental consequences (energy-intensive processes, material consumption and waste generation) require rapid actions to be implemented widely. To meet the environmental and climate change challenges faced by the healthcare sector, this review paper discusses how circularity frameworks can be applied to medical textile waste. This review paper explores existing circularity frameworks to address the challenges resulting from textile waste in the healthcare sector. Textile waste, primarily originating from medical garments (scrubs, isolation gowns), patient apparel and bedding, surgical textiles, wound care textiles, personal protective equipment (masks, gowns and aprons), textiles for diagnostic purposes (medical imaging), and textiles for hygiene and sanitation, present an environmental impact due to their non-biodegradability and energy-intensive production processes. This paper conducts a thorough mini review of those circularity frameworks applied to healthcare textile waste along the product’s life cycle within hospitals. The review focuses on the current waste management practices of the hospitals and evaluates innovative circular economy interventions. Case studies and pilot projects that have successfully operated circularity frameworks for managing healthcare textiles waste are included in the review to provide practical insight.

Clusters of emerging multidrug-resistant organisms in US health care facilities during the initial months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Outbreaks of emerging multidrug-resistant organisms (eMDROs), including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, and Candida auris, have been reported among severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients. We describe eMDRO clusters in SARS-CoV-2 units and associated infection control (IC) practices early in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We conducted a retrospective survey of a convenience sample of health departments in 11 states to describe clusters of eMDROs that began before November 1, 2020 and involved SARS-CoV-2 units. Cluster characteristics and IC practices during the cluster period were assessed using a standardized outbreak report form, and descriptive analyses were performed. Overall, 18 eMDRO clusters (10 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, 6 Cauris, 1 carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 1 carbapenem-resistant A baumannii) in 18 health care facilities involving 397 patients were reported from 10 states. During the cluster period, 60% of facilities reported a shortage of isolation gowns, 69% extended use of gowns, and 67% reported difficulty obtaining preferred disinfectants. Reduced frequency of hand hygiene audits was reported in 85% of acute care hospitals during the cluster period compared with before the pandemic. Changes in IC practices and supply shortages were identified in facilities with eMDRO outbreaks during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and might have contributed to eMDRO transmission.

Engineering a compostable isolation gown to reduce hospital-derived synthetic waste accumulation in landfill

The ever-increasing accumulation of synthetic waste in landfill is a growing pollution and public health concern. In 2018, hospitals in the United States landfilled 1.5 million tons of personal protective equipment (PPE). Single-use, disposable PPE gowns constitute the greatest percentage of landfilled PPE by weight and are overwhelmingly made from non-degradable synthetic materials. The most common and disposed of type of PPE gown are isolation gowns, which are used by healthcare workers attending patients under isolation precautions. One study has shown that under isolation procedures, healthcare systems will on average dispose of 33 gowns per patient per day as municipal waste, contributing a substantial amount of solid waste to landfills. Therefore, to alleviate the strain on landfills, a need exists for isolation gowns that do not contribute to the accumulation of synthetic waste. The approach taken in the present work to address this need was through the creation of a degradable textile from which to make isolation gowns. The prototype textile is a paper-based substrate with an ASTM D6400 certified compostable functional coating to grant the barrier properties necessary to prevent liquid penetration. The compostable, lightweight, coated paper product was tested in accordance with the ASTM F3352 Standard Specification for Isolation Gowns Intended for Use in Healthcare Facilities. The prototype exceeded the AATCC 42 and 127, and ASTM D5034, D5733, and D1683 standardized test requirements to be classified as a high-protection Level 3 isolation gown. As such, the prototype textile has been identified as a suitable material from which to create compostable isolation gowns.

Guarding Our Guardians: Navigating Adverse Reactions in Healthcare Workers Amid Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage During COVID-19.

The widespread utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic has been crucial for reducing transmission risk among healthcare workers (HCWs) and the public. However, the extensive use of PPEhas brought about potential adverse reactions, particularly among HCWs. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of adverse skin reactions associated with PPE use among different categories of HCWs, including faculty, residents, and nursing officers (NOs), in a dedicated tertiary care COVID-19 hospital. The study design was a hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study conducted over one month, involving a total of 240 participants. The participants were required to complete a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire that covered demographic information, PPE-related data, preventive measures, observed reactions, and self-management strategies. Results indicated that adverse skin reactions were common among HCWs, with reactions reported by all participants. The most commonly used PPE included N95 masks, goggles, gloves, face shields, isolation gowns, and medical protective clothing. Excessive sweating (60% residents, 21.1% NOs, and 16.25% faculties), facial rash, dry palms (>70% of HCWs), and itching were among the most prevalent adverse reactions. Urticarial lesions (28.5% among NOs), pressure marks and pain (100% on the cheek among all HCWs), fungal infections (18.5% among residents at the web space of fingers), and skin breakdown were also reported. Factors such as age, gender, pre-existing skin problems, and oily/acne-prone skin history were found to be significantly associated with adverse skin reactions. In conclusion, the findings highlight the common adverse reactions reported by HCWs during the use of different PPEs. Certain steps taken by HCWs for the prevention of adverse reactions due to PPE emphasize the importance of tailored preventive measures and strategies to mitigate these adverse reactions, such as proper PPE selection, well-fitting equipment, regular breaks, and appropriate skincare practices. These insights contribute to the development of guidelines for optimal PPE usage and support the well-being of HCWs in their essential roles.

An Evaluation of the Barrier and Durability Performance of Reusable Level 2 Isolation Gowns Over Their Promoted Service Life

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the health and safety of healthcare workers as the supply of personal protective equipment was severely limited at the pandemic’s beginning. Some healthcare facilities took the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations to shift from disposable personal protective equipment to reusable, as an option for extending the life of their personal protective equipment during the pandemic. This research investigated Level 2 isolation gowns to determine whether they met or exceeded the protection specifications of ANSI/AAMI PB70:2012 and the American Society for Testing and Materials: ASTM F3352-19 Standard Specification for Isolation Gowns Intended for Use in Healthcare Facilities. The overall findings show that commercially available reusable gowns initially met the ANSI/AAMI PB70:2012 and ASTM F3352 standards. Out of the six sample groups, gowns in one group failed the ANSI/AAMI PB70:2012 specifications before the end of their intended lifecycle. All gowns met the specifications for durability in ASTM F3352-19, but further research showed tear strength after laundering weakened substantially. The current standard for Level 2 isolation gowns is protecting the lives of healthcare workers. However, the specifications could be improved by ANSI/AAMI by evaluating the performance after laundering instead of as new. Durability specifications would be improved by increasing the requirements for reusable gowns.

Investigation of the barrier performance of disposable isolation gowns

Recent epidemics and pandemics highlighted the need for effective personal protective equipment, including isolation gowns. The most critical property of an isolation gown is its ability to keep liquids and viruses from passing through the gown. Liquid and viral barrier penetration can be measured using laboratory test methods. Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) PB70 standard defines isolation gown barrier performance levels and requirements. In this study, 22 disposable isolation gown models from6manufacturers were tested for liquid and viral penetration resistance. Standard test methods were used to evaluate water and viral penetration. Test results were evaluated using AAMI PB70 barrier performance criteria for 4 protection levels. Seven of the 22 tested gown models did not pass liquid and viral penetration testing based on AAMI PB70 at the level claimed by the manufacturer. The majority of these failures occurred at the seam and/or tie attachment areas. The study findings underscore the need for improved processes surrounding activities such as premarket testing and postmarket evaluation of gowns according to standardized test methods by third-party laboratories. This study also supports the recent Food and Drug Administration guidance document that clarified the characteristics of isolation gowns considered to be class II and subject to Food and Drug Administration premarket review. Infection preventionists, hospital purchasers, and safety professionals should seek isolation gowns demonstrating conformance to industry standards from manufacturers.

Dental professionals' use of personal protective equipment during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study in China.

Appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) could significantly reduce the risk of viral transmission and infection. This study aimed to assess the use of PPE among dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic in China, explore its influencing factors, and provide some practical recommendations. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among 384 Chinese dentists in September 2022. The questionnaire comprised a series of questions about demographic characteristics, compliance with proper PPE use, personal barriers to use, and exposure risk estimation. Of the 384 respondents, 57.3% had unacceptable compliance with the proper use of PPE during COVID-19. Medical surgical mask is the most common for dental professionals to wear (93.8%), followed by goggles or face shield (63.8%), and isolation gown (53.1%). Unexpectedly, only 63.3% of respondents always change masks with guidelines. The condition for changing goggles/face shields and isolation gowns is even worse (45.6 and 37.0%, respectively). Visual barriers, physical discomfort, complex procedures, and heavy workload were the most common personal barriers to use. According to the results of Chi-square test and correlation analysis, PPE use compliance was associated with age, years of practice, medical institution type, and exposure risk estimation. Chinese dental professionals need to improve their compliance with the proper use of PPE, especially those in the 31-40 age group, with 11-15 experience years and working in private dental clinics. Increasing compliance with PPE may be achieved by addressing personal barriers to use, human resource shortages, and perceptions of exposure risk.

Evaluating healthcare workers’ current isolation gown design features and maintenance practices for their safety and protection

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate key design features and maintenance practices of isolation gowns which should be improved for ensuring healthcare workers’ (HCWs’) safety and protection, integrating two theoretical models – personal protective clothing on worker performance and clothing comfort. Using a survey research design, an online survey was employed with a convenience sample of 153 US HCWs. The results presented the need for isolation gown design improvement within donning and doffing, comfort, body coverage, fit and sizing. It showcases interrelationships among isolation gown properties, HCWs’ task requirements, environmental conditions and their characteristics, and how comfort can be achieved while interacting among HCWs, isolation gown and the environment for better work performance and safety. This study provides critical insights into the novel isolation gown design and development by considering more of its utilitarian, task-related features to ensure HCWs’ safety and protection.

Effect of air blowing inside isolated hospital clothing on perceptual and physiological heat strain in laboratory conditions.

Heat stress is one of the most common complaints of health care employees who wear isolation gowns to protect themselves from biological agents, particularly during the warmer seasons. This study was conducted in a climatic chamber to determine the influence of airflow within isolated hospital gowns on physiological-perceptual heat strain indices. The experiment was conducted in three trials: regular clothes (CON), an impenetrable gown without air blowing (GO), and a gown with air blowing (GO + FAN) at temperature conditions of 27°C and 25% relative humidity (RH). During the trial, physiological-perceptual response data were recorded for a half-hour on a treadmill at a speed of km/hr and a slope of 0% activity at 5-min intervals. The ASHRAE Likert scale was used to assess thermal comfort (TC), thermal sensation (TS), and skin wetness sensation (WS). As the results show, there was a significant difference in mean scores for TC and WS in both sexes when working in the CON, GO, and GO + FAN groups (P < 0.001). In women, the mean scores for TS, TC, and WS reduced considerably (P < 0.001) in the GO and GO + FAN in the amount of 10 and 12 CFM (20 [Formula: see text]/h), but in males, there was a statistically significant difference between mean scores (P < 0.001) in the GO + FAN at 12 CFM (20 [Formula: see text]/h) and 14 CFM (24 [Formula: see text]/h). Also, the greatest difference between the average heart rate, chest temperature, and temperature inside the clothes in women and men in the trials GO and GO + FAN was observed in the air flow 12 CFM and 14 CFM, respectively (P < 0.001). The usage of an air blower in isolated hospital clothes has been shown to influence physiological-perceptual parameters in men and women substantially. The existence of airflow in these gowns can improve safety, performance, and thermal comfort while also decreasing the risk of heat-related disorders.

Impact of surface tension on the barrier performance of gowns and coveralls

Health care workers and laboratory workers who are routinely exposed to potentially life-threatening infectious diseases should wear protective clothing when anticipating contact with infectious materials. The most critical property ofprotective clothing is its ability to prevent liquids and viruses from passing through the garment. There are a number of potentially infectious liquids that workers may be exposed to during routine tasks. Each liquid has different physical and chemical properties that affect penetration. However, the current test methods use a limited number of liquids for classifying the barrier performance. The impact of the surface tension of the challenge liquid on the penetration resistance of gowns and coveralls was investigated in this study. Eight isolation gowns and 2 coveralls were tested in accordance with American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists 42 and American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists 127 test methods, which were modified to incorporate the substitute challenge liquids. Although current standard test methods only use water to categorize the liquid penetration resistance of minimal to moderate barrier performance gowns, a significant difference in the penetration was found when simulated body fluids were used. The results suggest that safety professionals and wearers should consider the varying barrier performance of personal protective equipment with different liquids and the use limitations when selecting them for the required tasks. Furthermore, standard development organizations should consider multiple challenge liquids when classifying protective clothing for health care settings.

Evaluation of the physical performance of disposable isolation gowns

The threat of emerging infectious diseases has highlighted the need for effective gowns to protect health care workers and patients. Although studies identified end user issues with the physical performance of gowns, the literature that evaluates the performance is scarce. This paper represents 1 of the first efforts to investigate the physical performance of a substantial set of isolation gown models in the marketplace. Physical performance of 20 commercial and 2 experimental disposable isolation gowns was evaluated in this study. Standard test methods were used to investigate a range of properties, including thickness, weight, tensile strength, tearing strength, and seam strength. In general, due to the differences in the fibers and methods used for the construction, large variations in the tensile, tear, and seam strength results were found. When the gowns were compared to their respective Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation PB70 protection levels, no clear trend was found between protection levels and tear strength or between protection levels and seam strength, while there was a linear relationship between gowns' Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation PB70 levels and their tensile strength. It was found that fabric construction significantly affects the physical performance of gowns. Based on this work, a new standard, American Society of Testing and Materials International F3352, was published and has been recognized by the Food and Drug Administration. American Society of Testing and Materials International F3352 is expected to help end users in selecting the appropriate protective clothing.

Optimizing Portfolio Selection Strategy for Purchasing and Supply in Healthcare Considering Circular Economy Principles - Case: Isolation Gowns

Optimizing Portfolio Selection Strategy for Purchasing and Supply in Healthcare Considering Circular Economy Principles - Case: Isolation Gowns

Circular material flow in the intensive care unit—environmental effects and identification of hotspots

PurposeThe healthcare sector is responsible for 6–7% of CO2 emissions. The intensive care unit (ICU) contributes to these CO2 emissions and a shift from a linear system to a circular system is needed. The aim of our research was to perform a material flow analysis (MFA) in an academic ICU. Secondary aims were to obtain information and numbers on mass, carbon footprint, agricultural land occupation and water usage and to determine so-called “environmental hotspots” in the ICU.MethodsA material flow analysis was performed over the year 2019, followed by an environmental footprint analysis of materials and environmental hotspot identification.Results2839 patients were admitted to our ICU in 2019. The average length of stay was 4.6 days. Our MFA showed a material mass inflow of 247,000 kg in 2019 for intensive care, of which 50,000 kg is incinerated as (hazardous) hospital waste. The environmental impact per patient resulted in 17 kg of mass, 12 kg CO2 eq, 300 L of water usage and 4 m2 of agricultural land occupation per day. Five hotspots were identified: non-sterile gloves, isolation gowns, bed liners, surgical masks and syringes (including packaging).ConclusionThis is the first material flow analysis that identified environmental risks and its magnitude in the intensive care unit.

Hydrothermal deconstruction of single-use personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic

To minimise the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, there has been a substantial increase in the production and usage of synthetic personal protective equipment (PPE) globally. Consequently, single-use PPE have been widely adopted without appropriate regulations for their disposal, leading to extensive environmental contamination worldwide. This study investigates the non-catalytic hydrothermal deconstruction of different PPE items, including isolation gowns, gloves, goggles, face shields, surgical masks, and filtering-facepiece respirators. The selected PPE items were subjected to hydrothermal deconstruction for 90 min in the presence of 30-bar initial oxygen pressure, at temperatures ranging between 250 °C and 350 °C. The solid content in form of total suspended solids (TSS) was reduced up to 97.6%. The total chemical oxygen demand (tCOD) and soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) decreased with increasing deconstruction temperature, and at 350 °C the lowest tCOD and sCOD content of 546.6 mg/L and 470 mg/L, respectively, was achieved. Short-chained volatile fatty acids were produced after 90 min of deconstruction, predominantly acetic acid at concentrations up to 8974 mg/L. Ammonia nitrogen content (NH3–N) of up to 542.6 mg/L was also detected. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and unreacted oxygen (O2) were the main gaseous by-products at up to 15.6% (w/w) and 88.7% (w/w), respectively. The findings suggest that non-catalytic hydrothermal deconstruction is a viable option to process and manage PPE waste.

Deconstruction and valorisation of a mixture of personal protective equipment using hydrothermal processing

This study used non-catalytic hydrothermal deconstruction to examine the deconstruction of a mixture of numerous PPE items, including isolation gowns, gloves, goggles, face shields, surgical masks, and filtering-facepiece respirators. A mixture of PPE items was subjected to hydrothermal deconstruction at temperatures varying between 250 °C and 350 °C and reaction times of 90 min and 180 min, respectively. A reduction of up to 95 % was attained in the total suspended solids (TSS). The total chemical oxygen demand (tCOD) and soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) decreased dramatically to 703 mg/L and 480 mg/L, respectively. Volatile fatty acids, mainly acetic acid and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) were the primary end products with a concentration of up to 15,625 mg/L and 38 mg/L after 180 min of deconstruction, respectively. Carbon dioxide and oxygen were found to be the primary gaseous product, with a concentration of up to 14 % (w/w) for CO2 and 76 % (w/w) for O2. Further experiments were conducted at 300 °C and 350 °C to reuse process water for five cycles to demonstrate the feasibility of process water recycling. The results propose that non-catalytic hydrothermal deconstruction may potentially reduce PPE waste by minimising solid waste and water usage.

A sustainable approach on the utilisation of COVID-19 plastic based isolation gowns in structural concrete

Single-use isolation gowns have become an important practice across medical centres, testing sites, and emergency rooms since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic; within the later months of 2019. Although reusable isolation gowns have proved beneficial, 80% of frontline centres opt for disposable isolation gowns, increasing the demand for plastic-based personal protective equipment (PPE) and the environmental strain from excess waste in landfills. This research aims to explore the practicability of using plastic-based isolation gowns in structural concrete to scale back the quantity of pandemic-generated waste ending up in landfills. The shredded isolation gowns were added to aggregates at 0.01%, 0.02%, and 0.03% of the volume of concrete. The effects of various concentrations of shredded isolation gowns on the mechanical properties of the concrete were investigated through a series of experiments alongside an SEM-EDS analysis. Results demonstrate an enhanced bridging effect between the cement matrix and shredded isolation gowns, allowing for the steady trend of improved mechanical properties with increases of 15.5%, 20.6%, and 11.73% across compressive strength, flexural strength, and the modulus of elasticity, respectively.

Capitalizing on a Global Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Shortage to Design a More Functional and Sustainable Isolation Gown

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic caused a global PPE shortage. Across our health system, the type of disposable isolation gowns we were accustomed to using were not as readily available. As a result, we used new varieties of isolation gowns of inconsistent quality. With isolation gowns being the second most used type of PPE at our organization, we used and disposed of almost 3.1 million single-use isolation gowns, amounting to approximately 213 tons of waste in a year. An opportunity arose to design and implement a consistently high quality and reusable isolation gown that would both be protected from supply chain disruptions and reduce our health system's ecological footprint.MethodsAfter trialing several varieties of disposable and reusable gowns, a substantial amount of feedback was gathered over several months from end-users, Infection Prevention, and Supply Chain. This feedback informed the design of a custom reusable isolation gown that resolves identified problems in functionality, particularly barrier effectiveness, comfort, fit, and ease of donning and doffing. The new design meets current healthcare protection clothing standards and specifications.ResultsThe custom reusable isolation gowns are being implemented at all hospitals across our health system. There is adequate supply of the reusable gowns, as the product is not susceptible to PPE shortages. There is overwhelmingly positive feedback from end-users on functionality and effectiveness. The gowns are safely laundered according to healthcare standards, resulting in less waste when compared to single-use isolation gowns.ConclusionsPPE shortages leave frontline healthcare workers ill-equipped to care for patients. Design and implementation of a more functional and sustainable product, that is not vulnerable to supply chain disruptions, helps ensure our healthcare workers have the resources needed to protect themselves and others from spreading infectious pathogens.

Personal protective equipment use and hand hygiene among physical therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational study

Objective: to describe personal protective equipment (PPE) use, hand hygiene and the association with biosafety training among physical therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: this exploratory, observational, and transversal study was conducted in Brazil during the pandemic using an online self-administered questionnaire composed of the socio-demographic characteristics, PPE use, and hand hygiene. Statistical analysis was performed using Spearman’s correlation and logistic regression. Results: the most PPE used were long-sleeved lab coats (82.4%), face masks (81.4%) and closed shoes (79.1%). Most physical therapists washed hands before and after procedures (87.4%). Only 47.5% had biosafety training during the COVID-19 pandemic. Biosafety training was associated with medical apron (OR = 2.21. 95%CI = 1.08 to 4.52), isolation gown (OR = 2.71. 95%CI =1.09 to 6.75), long-sleeved lab coat (OR = 0.44. 95%CI = 0.22 to 0.87) and safety goggles (OR = 2.15. 95%CI = 1.21 to 3.84). Conclusion: although PPE use and hand hygiene are part of the Brazilian physical therapist routine, almost half of the assessed physical therapists had not performed biosafety training during the COVID-19 pandemic.