Abrar Ahmad Chughtai1, Xin Chen2, Chandini Raina Macintyre3. 1. School of Public Health and Community Medicine UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia. Electronic address: abrar.chughtai@unsw.edu.au. 2. School of Public Health and Community Medicine UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia. 3. School of Public Health and Community Medicine UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia; College of Public Service and Community Solutions, and College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the risk of self-contamination associated with doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE) and to compare self-contamination with various PPE protocols. METHODS: We tested 10 different PPE donning and doffing protocols, recommended by various health organizations for Ebola. Ten participants were recruited for this study and randomly assigned to use 3 different PPE protocols. After donning of PPE, fluorescent lotion and spray were applied on the external surface of the PPE to simulate contamination, and ultraviolet light was used to count fluorescent patches on the skin. RESULTS: After testing 30 PPE sequences, large fluorescent patches were recorded after using "WHO coverall and 95" and "North Carolina coverall and N95" sequences, and small patches were recorded after using "CDC coverall and N95" and "Health Canada gown and N95" sequences. Commonly reported problems with PPE use were breathing difficulty, suffocation, heat stress, and fogging-up glasses. Most participants rated PPE high (18/30) or medium (11/30) for ease of donning/doffing and comfort. PPE sequences with powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) and assisted doffing were generally associated with fewer problems and were rated the highest. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the risk of self-contamination associated with the doffing of PPE. PAPR-containing protocols and assisted doffing should be preferred whenever possible during the outbreak of highly infectious pathogens.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the risk of self-contamination associated with doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE) and to compare self-contamination with various PPE protocols. METHODS: We tested 10 different PPE donning and doffing protocols, recommended by various health organizations for Ebola. Ten participants were recruited for this study and randomly assigned to use 3 different PPE protocols. After donning of PPE, fluorescent lotion and spray were applied on the external surface of the PPE to simulate contamination, and ultraviolet light was used to count fluorescent patches on the skin. RESULTS: After testing 30 PPE sequences, large fluorescent patches were recorded after using "WHO coverall and 95" and "North Carolina coverall and N95" sequences, and small patches were recorded after using "CDC coverall and N95" and "Health Canada gown and N95" sequences. Commonly reported problems with PPE use were breathing difficulty, suffocation, heat stress, and fogging-up glasses. Most participants rated PPE high (18/30) or medium (11/30) for ease of donning/doffing and comfort. PPE sequences with powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) and assisted doffing were generally associated with fewer problems and were rated the highest. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the risk of self-contamination associated with the doffing of PPE. PAPR-containing protocols and assisted doffing should be preferred whenever possible during the outbreak of highly infectious pathogens.
Authors: Ulrich Terheggen; Christian Heiring; Mattias Kjellberg; Fredrik Hegardt; Martin Kneyber; Maurizio Gente; Charles C Roehr; Gilles Jourdain; Pierre Tissieres; Padmanabhan Ramnarayan; Morten Breindahl; Johannes van den Berg Journal: Pediatr Res Date: 2020-07-07 Impact factor: 3.756
Authors: Jos H Verbeek; Blair Rajamaki; Sharea Ijaz; Christina Tikka; Jani H Ruotsalainen; Michael B Edmond; Riitta Sauni; F Selcen Kilinc Balci Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2019-07-01
Authors: Philip S Barie; Vanessa P Ho; Catherine J Hunter; Elinore J Kaufman; Mayur Narayan; Fredric M Pieracci; Sebastian D Schubl; Daithi S Heffernan; Jared M Huston Journal: Surg Infect (Larchmt) Date: 2021-02-25 Impact factor: 1.853
Authors: Jos H Verbeek; Blair Rajamaki; Sharea Ijaz; Riitta Sauni; Elaine Toomey; Bronagh Blackwood; Christina Tikka; Jani H Ruotsalainen; F Selcen Kilinc Balci Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2020-04-15
Authors: Hai-Thien Phu; Yensil Park; Austin J Andrews; Ian Marabella; Asish Abraham; Reid Mimmack; Bernard A Olson; Jonathan Chaika; Eugene Floersch; Mojca Remskar; Janet R Hume; Gwenyth A Fischer; Kumar Belani; Christopher J Hogan Journal: Am J Infect Control Date: 2020-06-27 Impact factor: 4.303
Authors: Zhen Chang Liang; Mark Seng Ye Chong; Ming Ann Sim; Joel Louis Lim; Pablo Castañeda; Daniel W Green; Dale Fisher; Lian Kah Ti; Diarmuid Murphy; James Hoi Po Hui Journal: J Bone Joint Surg Am Date: 2020-06-03 Impact factor: 6.558
Authors: Lorwai Tan; Joshua G Kovoor; Penny Williamson; David R Tivey; Wendy J Babidge; Trevor G Collinson; Peter J Hewett; Thomas J Hugh; Robert T A Padbury; Sally J Langley; Guy J Maddern Journal: ANZ J Surg Date: 2020-08-18 Impact factor: 2.025