Evaluation of the Technique Used by Health-Care Workers for Taking Blood Pressure

Background/Aim: There is insufficient data on physiological and psychological alterations that may occur among health-care workers wearing various face masks during novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In this study, we aimed to investigate the physiological effects of various types of face masking and associated discomfort among health-care workers. Methods: This prospective study included 33 healthy health-care workers. Each participant was asked to wear a single surgical mask, double mask, N95 type mask, and surgical mask on N95 type mask for an uninterrupted period of 2 hours. Oxygen saturation, heart pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and step counts were recorded at baseline and every 30 min of 2 hours with a total of five times for each mask type. Self-assessment of fatigue, exhaustion, and headache were also graded. Intra- and inter-group analyses were performed. Results: There was no significant difference in the oxygen saturation, pulse and respiratory rates among the participants including intra- and inter-groups (p>0.05) Although no significant difference was seen in diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressures gradually and significantly increased with a double surgical mask (p<0.05). Headache and exhaustion scores increased gradually and significantly over time at every measurement time-point with every mask type (p<0.05) Fatigue scores also increased in intra-group comparison of mask types without any difference in-between. Conclusion: Our study results show that, during 2 hours of period, face mask types affect only subjective parameters such as headache, exhaustion, and fatigue without any change in the objective parameters such as oxygen saturation, and pulse and respiratory rates among health-care workers.

Download Full-text

Physiological Impacts of Personal Protective Equipment on Health Care Workers

The Indonesian Journal of Occupational Safety and Health ◽

10.20473/ijosh.v10i1.2021.1-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Anum Arif ◽

Ahsin Manzoor Bhatti ◽

Akhter Hussain ◽

Mohammad Tariq ◽

Osama Hadi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Health Care ◽

Oxygen Saturation ◽

Respiratory Rate ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Care Workers ◽

End Tidal ◽

End Tidal Co2

Introduction: Since the outbreak of the Ebola virus, its design has constantly been evolving to serve the purpose of protection without hampering the efficiency. In a study conducted in 2019, before the advent of COVID 19, it was found that performing precarious laboratory or clinical works while wearing PPE involved various restrictions compared to the same work without PPE. The objective of this study is to identify the influence of personal protective equipment on physiological parameters and the individual wellbeing of healthy workers. Methods: This Pilot Quasi-experimental study was performed on 12 volunteers fitting the inclusion criteria. Candidates were seated comfortably and their baseline resting pulse rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation via pulse oximeter, blood pressure, and End-tidal CO2 were recorded via a portable monitor. All candidates were asked to wear a KN95 mask along with a 3 ply mask over it and wear anti-fog goggles. All the above-mentioned parameters were recorded again after five minutes of comfortable sitting and ten minutes of brisk walk. Result: Significant difference is found between resting EtCO2 and after wearing of PPE (P = 0 .044). After a brief exercise, the further rise in EtCO2 is also significant (P = 0.002). There is no significant rise in pulse after wearing PPE (P = 0.092) but on exertion after wearing PPE, the rise in pulse is statistically significant (P = 0.002). The rest of the variables, such as the rise in respiratory rate, blood pressure, and fall in oxygen saturation rise has no statistical significance. Conclusion: Personal protective equipment has proven to rise in end-tidal carbon dioxide and tachycardia, which can lead to headache, dizziness, and respiratory discomfort. All of the factors can hamper the health care workers' performance and can adversely affect their efficiency.Keywords: covid-19, end tidal CO2, personal protective equipment, physiological

Download Full-text