In our ongoing fight against infectious diseases like COVID-19, the effective use of personal protective equipment (PPE) plays a vital role in limiting the spread and protecting healthcare professionals on the front lines. However, notable issues have been identified during the donning (putting on) and doffing (taking off) processes of PPE, particularly during large-scale infectious disease outbreaks. This provides a significant gap in infection prevention protocols that requires closer study and targeted interventions.
A recent study aimed to analyze the characteristics and distribution of problems confronted during the donning and doffing process of PPE in a large cabin hospital in Shanghai amidst the 2022 COVID-19 pandemic. This prospective, real-world study gathered and assessed data on irregularities noticed during PPE donning procedures in cabin hospital operations.
According to the data obtained, 5.29% (246 out of 4,652) of problems occurred during the donning of PPE, while during the doffing period, the problem percentage rose to 8.44% (382 out of 4,525). The core issue noted during the donning process was connected to the protective clothing, followed by difficulties with respirators. The study found no significant difference in problem distribution among different posts.
In terms of specific issues, the problems with protective clothing were mainly due to loose fitting around the head and neck, making them susceptible to exposure during donning and contamination of the inner surface of the protective clothing while doffing. Respirator-related problems consisted of failure of the seal test during donning and shifting or loosening of the respirator during doffing.
The findings highlight critical gaps and underscore the need for targeted training to manage these problems and reduce infection risk among healthcare personnel, especially in mobile cabin hospitals during massive infectious disease outbreaks. This information will serve as a crucial tool in the continual effort to improve safety protocols and PPE utilization.
Continued research into how PPE is used can identify challenges and pave the way for impactful training programs and changes to the PPE gear itself. It is also a pressing reminder of the constant pressure healthcare workers undergo and the importance of their safety in times of a pandemic.