scholarly journals EP.WE.126Survey on surgeons’ experience of wearing full PPE in theatres

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aloka Suwanna Danwaththa Liyanage ◽  
Vivien Ngo ◽  
Krishnan Gokul ◽  
Paul Ainsworth

Abstract Aims With the invasion of surgical work space by SARS-CoV-2 virus in 2020, the surgical safety concerns have been escalated to a new height. COVID-19 risk has questioned the adequacy of traditional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that has been in practice until now. Full PPE including respirator masks and visors in day today practice by all theatre staff across all surgical disciplines being implemented during and post pandemic time. However this implementation is not without its drawbacks as much as its positive merits. We conducted a survey among surgeons to ascertain their personal experience of wearing full PPE in theatres in day today practice. Methods Survey Monkey questionnaire was sent to surgeons at various levels in their carrier in different disciplines in the region. Results 47 surgeons responded to the questionnaire. 65% of the respondents were from General surgery and 38% of them were consultants. 85% of surgeons considered full PPE uncomfortable. Communication and visibility were main issues. Majority (52%) thinks that full PPE can affect their performance. The length of the procedure makes the negative effects of full PPE worse. More than 50% of respondents were not sure of the beneficial effects of full PPE in theatres. Conclusions Full PPE can have impact on the performance of surgeons. Communication being one of the main issues in wearing full PPE, an alternative strategy needs to be developed to improve communication between individuals in theatres.

Environments ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Gilberto Binda ◽  
Arianna Bellasi ◽  
Davide Spanu ◽  
Andrea Pozzi ◽  
Domenico Cavallo ◽  
...  

The diffusion of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) impacted the whole world, changing the life habits of billions of people. These changes caused an abundant increase in personal protective equipment (PPE, e.g., masks and gloves) use by the general population, which can become a concerning issue of plastic pollution. This study aims to evaluate the negative effects of the abundant PPE use following the COVID-19 diffusion using the test site of the Lombardy region, an area highly affected by the pandemic. Population data were retrieved from national databases, and the COVID-19 national guidelines were considered to estimate the total use of PPEs during 2020. Then, the quantity of waste derived from their use was evaluated based on the weight of PPEs. As well, possible scenarios for 2021 were proposed based on 2020 estimations. The results suggested different negative effects of the diffusion of PPEs both on waste management and on the environment: The abundant increase in PPEs-derived waste caused an increase in terms of costs for management, and the potential direct spreading in the environment of these materials (especially masks) poses a serious threat for an increase in microplastics in water bodies. Following this evaluation, a careful choice regarding COVID-19 measures of containment should be performed especially by the general population, avoiding contagion diffusion and reducing the possible environmental impact derived from disposable PPE use.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Darmiati Darmiati

Background: Pesticides are dangerous poisons that can have positive or negative effects on humans and the environment. To prevent pesticide poisoning it is necessary to identify a number of risk factors that have an influence on pesticide poisoning on farmers.Objectives: Research Objective to determine the factors associated with the risk of pesticide poisoning to farmers in Lam Mayang Village, Peukan Bada, Aceh Besar District.Methods: Using descriptive analytic research method with cross sectional study design. Subjects are onion farmers, sample size 30 (total sample). Data collection has been carried out by interview and observation using a questionnaire. Using the Chi square test.Results: Laboratory tests showed 3 blood samples had abnormal levels of cholinesterase and 27 blood samples had normal cholinesterase levels. There are 2 variables related to cholinesterase levels, using personal protective equipment p value 0.030 < 0.05 and knowledge p value 0.041 < 0.05.Conclusion: Counseling to increase farmers' knowledge about pesticides is needed. Using  personal protective equipment and farmers' compliance with using personal protective equipment will reduce the incidence of pesticide poisoning.


2021 ◽  
pp. 152-161
Author(s):  
A.B. Yudin ◽  
◽  
M.V. Kaltygin ◽  
E.A. Konovalov ◽  
A.A. Vlasov ◽  
...  

Personal protective equipment has become the last line of protection for medical personnel during the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection since it allows minimizing risks of biological contagion. Given the existing staffing shortage, medical workers have to spend from 4 to 12 hours a day in the “red zone” where they necessarily wear personal protective equipment. Protective clothing is known to produce negative effects on functional state of the body and personnel’s working capacities. Assessment of up-to-date protective suits will allow developing recommendations on their suitable application bearing in mind a balance between necessary protection, providing favorable ergonomics, and reducing risks of adverse effects on functional state and working capacities. Our research aim was to hygienically assess health risks for medical workers who had to wear reusable protective suits. Our research object was a reusable suit made from polyether fabric with polyurethane membrane coating and antistatic threads. We performed an experiment aimed at evaluating thermal state of the body, psychophysiological state, and responses by the volunteers’ cardiorespiratory system in laboratory conditions during an 80 hour working shift under controlled microclimate. Participants in the experiment were questioned in order to assess suits’ ergonomics. Heat exchange dynamics and amount of changes in thermal physiological parameters caused by wearing a protective suit determined heat contents of volunteers’ bodies that conformed to optimal standard values. Data on psychophysiological and mental state taken in research dynamics didn’t have any statistically significant changes. Gas exchange indicators naturally grew during the “load” phase; however, there were no significant changes detected in any phase in the research. Hygienic assessment of the thermal state, functional state of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and psychophysio-logical indicators confirmed that wearing a protective suit was quite safe and didn’t involve any health risks for volunteers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 47-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raghvendra K Vidua ◽  
Vivek K Chouksey ◽  
Daideepya C Bhargava ◽  
Jitendra Kumar

In the context of Covid-19, personal protective equipment is much needed and often in short supply as a protection against the virus, but nobody until recently was discussing the downside of its prolonged use by its wearers. Increasing numbers of health care workers feel unwell using it and are overheating and some have fainted. Will it impair their professional performance? This article considers this aspect of PPE based upon the personal experience of a Forensic team at AIIMS Bhopal in India who wore it during autopsy work and proposed recommendations to minimise it.


2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (04) ◽  
pp. 294-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lutz S. Freudenberg ◽  
Ulf Dittmer ◽  
Ken Herrmann

Abstract Introduction Preparations of health systems to accommodate large number of severely ill COVID-19 patients in March/April 2020 has a significant impact on nuclear medicine departments. Materials and Methods A web-based questionnaire was designed to differentiate the impact of the pandemic on inpatient and outpatient nuclear medicine operations and on public versus private health systems, respectively. Questions were addressing the following issues: impact on nuclear medicine diagnostics and therapy, use of recommendations, personal protective equipment, and organizational adaptations. The survey was available for 6 days and closed on April 20, 2020. Results 113 complete responses were recorded. Nearly all participants (97 %) report a decline of nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures. The mean reduction in the last three weeks for PET/CT, scintigraphies of bone, myocardium, lung thyroid, sentinel lymph-node are –14.4 %, –47.2 %, –47.5 %, –40.7 %, –58.4 %, and –25.2 % respectively. Furthermore, 76 % of the participants report a reduction in therapies especially for benign thyroid disease (-41.8 %) and radiosynoviorthesis (–53.8 %) while tumor therapies remained mainly stable. 48 % of the participants report a shortage of personal protective equipment. Conclusions Nuclear medicine services are notably reduced 3 weeks after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic reached Germany, Austria and Switzerland on a large scale. We must be aware that the current crisis will also have a significant economic impact on the healthcare system. As the survey cannot adapt to daily dynamic changes in priorities, it serves as a first snapshot requiring follow-up studies and comparisons with other countries and regions.


2020 ◽  
pp. 30-33
Author(s):  
E. V. Panina ◽  
M. V. Pugachev ◽  
A. G. Shchesiu

The article shows that in the daily activities of nursing staff of functional diagnostics departments (offices), it is necessary to strictly observe the requirements and rules for the prevention of infections associated with medical care, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The types of personal protective equipment (PPE) of medical personnel (MP), as well as current effective methods of disinfection, rules for collecting medical waste in a complex epidemiological situation are presented.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (31) ◽  
pp. 87-95
Author(s):  
Nicole Maria Miyamoto Bettini ◽  
Fabiana Tomé Ramos ◽  
Priscila Masquetto Vieira de Almeida

A Organização Mundial da Saúde - OMS confirmou a circulação internacional do novo Coronavírus em janeiro de 2020, nomeando-o como COVID-19 e, declarando uma pandemia. É de extrema importância que durante a pandemia, os profissionais de saúde tenham acesso e conhecimento sobre o uso correto dos Equipamentos de Proteção Individual (EPIs) e suas indicações, tomando assim, as devidas precauções na prevenção de infecções. O presente estudo buscou identificar a padronização mundial quanto ao uso dos EPIs utilizados no atendimento a pacientes suspeitos e/ou confirmados de COVID-19 no Brasil, EUA, China, Espanha, Itália e demais países europeus. Os guidelines apresentam a padronização quanto ao uso dos EPIs utilizados no atendimento a suspeitos e/ou confirmados de COVID-19, indo ao encontro das recomendações fornecidas pela OMS. Até o momento, o uso de EPIs é sem dúvida a estratégia mais importante e eficaz para proteger os profissionais de saúde durante a assistência ao paciente com COVID-19.Descritores: Infecções por Coronavírus, Equipamento de Proteção Individual, Pessoal de Saúde, Enfermagem. Recommendations for personal protective equipment to combat COVID-19Abstract: The World Health Organization - WHO confirmed the international circulation of the new Coronavirus in January 2020, naming it as COVID-19 and declaring a pandemic. It is extremely important that during the pandemic, health professionals have access and knowledge about the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and its indications, thus taking appropriate precautions to prevent infections. The present study sought to identify the worldwide standardization regarding the use of PPE utilized to take care of suspected and confirmed patients with COVID-19 in Brazil, USA, China, Spain, Italy and other European countries. The guidelines present a standardization regarding the use of PPE utilized to take care of suspected and confirmed with COVID-19, in line with the recommendations provided by WHO. To date, the use of PPE is undoubtedly the most important and effective strategy to protect healthcare professionals during care for patients with COVID-19.Descriptors: Coronavirus Infections, Personal Protective Equipment, Health Personnel, Nursing. Recomendaciones para el equipo de protección personal para combatir COVID-19Resumen: La Organización Mundial de la Salud - La OMS confirmó la circulación internacional del nuevo Coronavirus en enero de 2020, nombrándolo COVID-19 y declarando una pandemia. Es extremadamente importante que durante la pandemia, los profesionales de la salud tengan acceso y conocimiento sobre el uso correcto del Equipo de Protección Personal (EPP) y sus indicaciones, tomando así las precauciones adecuadas para prevenir infecciones. El presente estudio buscó identificar la estandarización mundial con respecto al uso de EPP utilizado para atender a pacientes sospechosos y/o confirmados con COVID-19 en Brasil, Estados Unidos, China, España, Italia y otros países europeos. Las pautas presentan la estandarización con respecto al uso de EPP utilizado para cuidar COVID-19 sospechoso y/o confirmado, de acuerdo con las recomendaciones proporcionadas por la OMS. Hasta la fecha, el uso de EPP es, sin duda, la estrategia más importante y efectiva para proteger a los profesionales de la salud durante la atención de pacientes con COVID-19.Descriptores: Infecciones por Coronavirus, Equipo de Protección Personal, Personal de Salud, Enfermería.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document