Assessment of personal protective equipment for medical personnel during a new coronavirus pandemic

BACKGROUND: The use of personal protective equipment in contact with patients with new coronavirus infection is the basic measure to ensure the safety of medical personnel. It is known that the use of protective equipment made of materials with low hygroscopicity, air and vapor permeability, under high ambient temperatures and physical activity, can cause overheating of the body. Objectively, during the pandemic, medical personnel reported a deterioration in the functional state up to and even fainting, caused by prolonged use of protective suits. Protective equipment made it difficult to perform routine tasks and led to a reduction in the quality of work performed.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Assessment of the effect of personal protective equipment on the functional status of medical personnel.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey of 156 medical workers of military medical organizations was carried out using the original questionnaire. The ease of use of protective equipment was assessed, and at the same time the negative aspects of its use were identified. A study of the thermal condition of 6 volunteers during the use of reusable and disposable personal protective equipment sets was carried out under laboratory conditions.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The majority of respondents reported a negative impact on the functional state of the body when using personal protective equipment. According to questionnaire data, skin damage occurred in 88% of cases; fogging of safety glasses in 81%; visual impairment in 70%; inadequate suit size in 61%; subjective feeling of heat at work in 61%; headaches in 45% of cases. An assessment of the thermal condition of the reusable and disposable suits at a temperature of 25°C and light physical work indicated that the body heat levels of the volunteers were within acceptable normative values.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of personal protective equipment has a negative effect on the functional state of the medical workers body, which requires a rational approach to the selection of protective the provision of an optimal regime of work and rest Considering the possibility of using personal protective equipment under different conditions, including increased ambient temperatures (over +30°С) and/or intense physical exertion, there is a need for further study of their effects in order to develop preventive measures.