Navdeep Bhamra1, Keshav Gupta1, Jonathan Lee2, Shams Al-Hity1, Karan Jolly3, Adnan Darr3. 1. Doctor, Department of Otolaryngology, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. 2. Doctor, Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust. 3. ENT Registrar, Department of Otolaryngology, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. The unpredictable nature of transmission of COVID-19 requires a meticulous understanding of guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) as published by WHO and Public Health England (PHE). AIM: To assess perceived confidence and knowledge of PHE guidance relating to PPE by nursing staff. METHODS: A nationwide survey was disseminated between May and June 2020 through social media platforms as well as internal mail via regulatory bodies and individual hospital trusts. RESULTS: Data were collated from 339 nurses. Perceived confidence as measured on a Likert scale was a mode score of 3/5, with the average score for knowledge-based questions being 5/10. Of the respondents, 47% cited insufficient training on PPE guidance, and 84% advocated further training. Conclusions: Unifying published PPE guidance and ensuring consistency in training can improve awareness, confidence, and knowledge among nursing staff.
BACKGROUND: On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. The unpredictable nature of transmission of COVID-19 requires a meticulous understanding of guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) as published by WHO and Public Health England (PHE). AIM: To assess perceived confidence and knowledge of PHE guidance relating to PPE by nursing staff. METHODS: A nationwide survey was disseminated between May and June 2020 through social media platforms as well as internal mail via regulatory bodies and individual hospital trusts. RESULTS: Data were collated from 339 nurses. Perceived confidence as measured on a Likert scale was a mode score of 3/5, with the average score for knowledge-based questions being 5/10. Of the respondents, 47% cited insufficient training on PPE guidance, and 84% advocated further training. Conclusions: Unifying published PPE guidance and ensuring consistency in training can improve awareness, confidence, and knowledge among nursing staff.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19; Education; Personal protective equipment; Training