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Factors Influencing Compliance With Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use Among Healthcare Workers
Jisa George1, Naseema Shafqat2, Ranjana Verma3
1Medical Surgical Nursing (Oncology Nursing), All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Bhopal, IND.
Cureus
|March 27, 2023
Summary
Healthcare workers' inconsistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE) contributes to the spread of infections. Factors like occupation, policy, quality, availability, and size significantly impact PPE compliance.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Occupational Safety
Background:
- Infection prevention and control policies rely on accurate personal protective equipment (PPE) use for healthcare worker safety.
- Poor compliance and inconsistent PPE use are primary drivers of nosocomial infection transmission in healthcare settings.
- Numerous individual, environmental, and organizational factors influence healthcare workers' adherence to PPE protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors influencing personal protective equipment (PPE) usage among healthcare workers.
- To analyze the relationship between various determinants and PPE compliance in tertiary care hospitals.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare workers in two central Indian tertiary care hospitals.
- Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and a three-point rating scale to assess PPE compliance and influencing factors.
- Quantile regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with adherence to PPE use.
Main Results:
- The median PPE compliance score among healthcare workers was 22 (IQR: 16-24).
- Occupation, institutional policy, PPE quality, PPE availability, and improper PPE size were significantly associated with PPE compliance.
- Quantile regression revealed statistically significant relationships between these variables and adherence to PPE use (p<0.001 for occupation, availability; p=0.003 for policy; p=0.002 for quality; p=0.042 for size).
Conclusions:
- Addressing factors hindering PPE compliance is crucial for enhancing healthcare worker safety and patient protection.
- Healthcare organizations and governmental bodies must implement measures to ensure consistent and appropriate PPE utilization.
- Improving PPE availability, quality, and sizing, alongside clear institutional policies and consideration of occupational roles, can bolster compliance.
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