Australian health care workers experience of PPE related side-effects. A cross-sectional survey
IntroductionProtection of health care workers (HCWs) is a fundamental aspect of an effective pandemic response. During the COVID-19 pandemic, frequency, and duration of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use increased. The experience of PPE-related side-effects has potential to contribute to decrea...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1325376/full |
| _version_ | 1797321563027013632 |
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| author | Karen McKenna Karen McKenna Stephane Bouchoucha Stephane Bouchoucha Stephane Bouchoucha Stephane Bouchoucha Bernice Redley Anastasia Hutchinson Anastasia Hutchinson Anastasia Hutchinson |
| author_facet | Karen McKenna Karen McKenna Stephane Bouchoucha Stephane Bouchoucha Stephane Bouchoucha Stephane Bouchoucha Bernice Redley Anastasia Hutchinson Anastasia Hutchinson Anastasia Hutchinson |
| author_sort | Karen McKenna |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionProtection of health care workers (HCWs) is a fundamental aspect of an effective pandemic response. During the COVID-19 pandemic, frequency, and duration of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use increased. The experience of PPE-related side-effects has potential to contribute to decreased compliance resulting in breaches in infection prevention and increasing risk of HCW exposure. This study aims were to measure the frequency of PPE-related side-effects amongst HCW in Australia, and to establish if an increased frequency of adverse reactions was related to the significant increase in use and extended duration of time spent in PPE.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional survey was used.ResultsOf the 559 respondents the majority were female (83.7%), aged 31–45 years old (33.6%). A pre-existing skin condition was reported by 266 (47.6%). Frequency of PPE related side-effects were: pressure-related 401 (71.7%), skin 321 (57.4%) and respiratory 20 (3.6%). Surgical mask use was significantly associated with pre-exiting skin conditions (β = 1.494 (SE 0.186), df (1), p < 0.001). Side effects to N95 respirator use was more commonly reported by staff working in COVID-19 high-risk areas (β = 0.572 (SE 0.211), df (1), p = 0.007) independent of work duration (β = −0.056 (SE 0.075), df (1), p = 0.456), and pre-existing skin conditions (β = 1.272, (SE.198), df (1), p < 0.001).ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic has seen a significant increase in the use of PPE. While the preventative benefits of PPE are significant, adverse events related to PPE use are frequently reported by HCW. Findings in this study highlight the need for innovation in PPE design to maximize protection while decreasing adverse effects and maintaining adhere to use. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T05:00:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6b2df8aee78145c1a1cce1068f51ed14 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T05:00:27Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-6b2df8aee78145c1a1cce1068f51ed142024-02-07T12:28:04ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652024-02-011210.3389/fpubh.2024.13253761325376Australian health care workers experience of PPE related side-effects. A cross-sectional surveyKaren McKenna0Karen McKenna1Stephane Bouchoucha2Stephane Bouchoucha3Stephane Bouchoucha4Stephane Bouchoucha5Bernice Redley6Anastasia Hutchinson7Anastasia Hutchinson8Anastasia Hutchinson9Deakin University Geelong, Faculty of Health, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Geelong, VIC, AustraliaDeakin University Geelong, Institute of Health Transformation, Centre for Quality & Patient Safety Research, Geelong, VIC, AustraliaDeakin University Geelong, Faculty of Health, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Geelong, VIC, AustraliaDeakin University Geelong, Institute of Health Transformation, Centre for Quality & Patient Safety Research, Geelong, VIC, AustraliaDeakin University Geelong, Centre for Innovation in Infectious Diseases and Immunology Research, Geelong, VIC, AustraliaAdjunct Faculty, Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, IndiaDeakin University Geelong, Faculty of Health, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Geelong, VIC, AustraliaDeakin University Geelong, Faculty of Health, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Geelong, VIC, AustraliaDeakin University Geelong, Institute of Health Transformation, Centre for Quality & Patient Safety Research, Geelong, VIC, AustraliaDeakin University Geelong, Centre for Innovation in Infectious Diseases and Immunology Research, Geelong, VIC, AustraliaIntroductionProtection of health care workers (HCWs) is a fundamental aspect of an effective pandemic response. During the COVID-19 pandemic, frequency, and duration of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use increased. The experience of PPE-related side-effects has potential to contribute to decreased compliance resulting in breaches in infection prevention and increasing risk of HCW exposure. This study aims were to measure the frequency of PPE-related side-effects amongst HCW in Australia, and to establish if an increased frequency of adverse reactions was related to the significant increase in use and extended duration of time spent in PPE.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional survey was used.ResultsOf the 559 respondents the majority were female (83.7%), aged 31–45 years old (33.6%). A pre-existing skin condition was reported by 266 (47.6%). Frequency of PPE related side-effects were: pressure-related 401 (71.7%), skin 321 (57.4%) and respiratory 20 (3.6%). Surgical mask use was significantly associated with pre-exiting skin conditions (β = 1.494 (SE 0.186), df (1), p < 0.001). Side effects to N95 respirator use was more commonly reported by staff working in COVID-19 high-risk areas (β = 0.572 (SE 0.211), df (1), p = 0.007) independent of work duration (β = −0.056 (SE 0.075), df (1), p = 0.456), and pre-existing skin conditions (β = 1.272, (SE.198), df (1), p < 0.001).ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic has seen a significant increase in the use of PPE. While the preventative benefits of PPE are significant, adverse events related to PPE use are frequently reported by HCW. Findings in this study highlight the need for innovation in PPE design to maximize protection while decreasing adverse effects and maintaining adhere to use.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1325376/fullCOVID-19personal protective equipmentpandemichealthcare workersside effectspressure injuries |
| spellingShingle | Karen McKenna Karen McKenna Stephane Bouchoucha Stephane Bouchoucha Stephane Bouchoucha Stephane Bouchoucha Bernice Redley Anastasia Hutchinson Anastasia Hutchinson Anastasia Hutchinson Australian health care workers experience of PPE related side-effects. A cross-sectional survey Frontiers in Public Health COVID-19 personal protective equipment pandemic healthcare workers side effects pressure injuries |
| title | Australian health care workers experience of PPE related side-effects. A cross-sectional survey |
| title_full | Australian health care workers experience of PPE related side-effects. A cross-sectional survey |
| title_fullStr | Australian health care workers experience of PPE related side-effects. A cross-sectional survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Australian health care workers experience of PPE related side-effects. A cross-sectional survey |
| title_short | Australian health care workers experience of PPE related side-effects. A cross-sectional survey |
| title_sort | australian health care workers experience of ppe related side effects a cross sectional survey |
| topic | COVID-19 personal protective equipment pandemic healthcare workers side effects pressure injuries |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1325376/full |
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