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Personal Protective Equipment Efficiency in Healthcare Emergencies: A Single-Center Experience
Harmeen Goraya1, Nikhil Meena1, Rajani Jagana1
1Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA.
Cureus
|August 16, 2022
Summary
Healthcare workers adapted practices and personal protective equipment (PPE) use, including N95 respirators, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study details experiences with PPE in healthcare emergencies at a major academic center.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered healthcare practices globally since 2020.
- Universal masking, viral testing, and modified procedures became standard to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
- Healthcare workers (HCWs) faced challenges in adapting practices, especially during aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the experiences and outcomes of personal protective equipment (PPE) utilization by HCWs in emergency settings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To share insights into the modification of critical care protocols, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), in response to viral transmission risks.
- To evaluate the effectiveness and challenges of mandatory PPE policies in a tertiary care academic center.
Main Methods:
- Review of institutional protocols and practices implemented in response to COVID-19.
- Analysis of PPE usage data for suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients during emergency interventions.
- Qualitative assessment of modifications to aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) protocols.
Main Results:
- Mandatory use of comprehensive PPE, including N95 respirators or PAPRs, gowns, gloves, and eye protection, was implemented for all patient interactions.
- Protocols for AGPs and in-hospital CPR (basic life support/advanced cardiovascular life support) were revised to minimize aerosol generation and transmission risks.
- The study gathered experience on the practical application and outcomes of these stringent measures in a real-world clinical environment.
Conclusions:
- The adoption of enhanced PPE protocols and modified emergency procedures was crucial for protecting HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Continuous adaptation of clinical practices based on evolving scientific data is essential for managing infectious disease outbreaks in healthcare settings.
- Sharing experiences from academic centers can inform best practices for infection control and patient safety during public health crises.
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