Abstract
BackgroundRecent studies support the effectiveness of filtering facepiece class 3 respirators (FFP3) during the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of protecting both health care workers (HCWs) and patients. However, wearing FFP3 respirators together with personal protective equipment (FFP3/PPE) could increase the feeling of discomfort or could even cause hypoxia. This study aims to investigate whether wearing an FPP3/PPE during work in the intensive care unit (ICU) affects the blood saturation (SpO2), the heart rate (HR), and the well-being of HCWs, as depicted by a score scale.MethodsThe study included a group of 21 volunteers, staff nurses, students and consultants (including 16 females (76%), with a median age of 23 years (interquartile range 21-27), range 20-59 years).We applied a counterbalanced crossover design—a self-controlled trial. Each subject served as his own control and performed the test two times: they wore the FFP3/PPE for a three-hour shift in the ICU and then did not wear the FFP3/PPE for 3 hours. To record the SpO2 and HR in real time, we used a Nellcor PM10N (Coviden, USA) portable monitoring system. Additionally, every 30 minutes during the shift and control run, each subject completed a questionnaire concerning their well-being, with a score scale to evaluate for headaches, shortness of breath, perspiration, fatigue, and thirst.ResultsThe mixed model demonstrated that working with an FFP3/PPE compared to not working with an FFP3/PPE caused a significant, but still within normal ranges, influence on the level of SpO2, with a mean decrease of -1.43%. The highest reduction in the SpO2 was 2.29%, and occurred after 150 minutes of work. We also found a significant increase in the HR at 60, 90, and 120 minutes after starting work. All of the score scales of the well-being markers increased consecutively but were moderate during the shift while wearing the FFP3/PPE; the side effects were mainly fatigue, thirst, and sweating.ConclusionWe assume that a 3 hour shift rhythm –, i.e., three hours of working in the FFP3/PPE in the ICU, followed by rest or working without an FFP3/PPE is a safe and reliable solution.