Use of personal protective equipment among health care personnel: Results of clinical observations and simulations

Abstract

Background: Very little is known about how health care personnel (HCP) actually use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Methods: The clinical PPE practices of 50 HCP from selected units at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Presbyterian Hospital were videotaped with HCP consent. For 2 PPE simulation sessions (simple and full-body sets), 82 HCP were recruited throughout the UPMC system. Simulation practices were videotaped and examined using fluorescent powder with ultraviolet lighting. All participants completed an electronic survey. For a follow-up evaluation simulation, 12 HCP were recruited among simulation participants.

Results: Among 130 total sessions from 65 participants, contamination occurred in 79.2% of simulations during the doffing process with various PPE items: simple set (92.3%) and full-body set (66.2%). Among 11 follow-up evaluation participants, contaminations still occurred in 82% after receiving individual feedback, but the overall contamination level was reduced. Using the contamination information gained during the simulation analysis, 66% of potential contamination was estimated for the clinical observation. Concerns and barriers in PPE use from HCP survey responses were as follows: time-consuming, cumbersomeness, and PPE effectiveness.

Conclusions: Although HCP knew they were being videotaped, contamination occurred in 79.2% of the PPE simulations. Devising better standardized PPE protocols and implementing innovative PPE education are necessary to ensure HCP safety.

Keywords: Contamination; Fluorescent powder; Health care personnel; Personal protective equipment; Simulation; Videotape analysis.