Evaluation of Capillary Blood Gases in Medical Personnel Caring for Patients Isolated Due to SARS-CoV-2 in Intensive Care Units before and after Using Enhanced Filtration Masks: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

The dynamically changing epidemiological situation caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is associated with the increased burden and fatigue of medical personnel. The aim of the study was to evaluate: (1) oxygen and carbon dioxide blood pressure and saturation levels in medical personnel caring for patients isolated due to SARS-CoV-2 in ICUs; (2) adverse symptoms reported by medical personnel after leaving the isolation zone. Design: A Prospective Cohort Study. Methods: The project was implemented in the first quarter of 2021. Medical personnel working with patients isolated due to SARS-CoV-2 in the ICU of three hospitals were eligible for the study. The participants of the study were subjected to two analyses of capillary blood by a laboratory diagnostician. Results: In the studied group of medical personnel (n = 110) using FFP2/FFP3 masks, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between the parameters of geometric examination performed before and after leaving the isolation ward of the hospital. After working in the isolation ward, nurses reported malaise (somnolence, fatigue, sweating, dizziness) more often than paramedics (44% vs. 9%; p = 0.00002). The risk of ill-being in nurses was approximately nine times higher than in paramedics (OR = 8.6; Cl 95%: 2.7 to 26.8) and increased with the age of the subjects (OR = 1.05; Cl 95%: 1.01 to 1.08). Conclusion: FFP2/FFP3 filter masks did not worsen blood oxygenation in medical staff caring for patients isolated due to SARS-CoV-2 in the ICU. The presence of subjective symptoms such as fatigue may be due to lack of adequate hydration.

Examination of the Effects of 4-Hour Nonvalved Filtering Facepiece Respirator Use on Blood Gas Values of Health Care Professionals: A Before and After Study

“…13,16 Most studies have shown that respirator use does not lead to significant changes in pCO 2 levels. [12][13][14] The fact that pCO 2 levels were not impaired in our current study corroborates evidence in the published literature. However, our study contradicts other evidence in the published literature regarding side effects related to mask use.…”

“…13 A study conducted with 57 nurses and 47 paramedics working in the SARS coronavirus-2 intensive care unit showed that the use of FFP2 and FFP3 respirators did not cause deterioration in blood gas values in a median time of 240 minutes. 14 The results of these 2 studies are similar to our findings.…”

“…None of the participants removed the respirator for any reason during the study period, and this is interpreted as it being well tolerated by participants. 14 The methodology and results of our study are similar to those of Yalciner et al, 15 although we used N95/ FFP2 respirators in our research. In their study of 43 health care workers, Nafisah et al 16 reported that continuous N95/ FFP2 use significantly reduced pO 2 levels and increased pCO 2 .…”

Capillary carbon dioxide tension increases in hospital staff wearing filtering facepiece masks: a prospective crossover study

“…Several studies evaluated the short-term influence of surgical masks and FFP masks on gas exchange or respiratory work [5][6][7][8][9]. In the largest study performed thus far, Medrzycka-Dabrowska et al evaluated capillary blood gas analysis in 110 nurses and paramedics before and after wearing PPE for 4 hours [7]. There was no significant difference in the blood gas values analysed.…”

“…In the largest study performed thus far, M edrzycka -D abrowska et al . [ 7 ] evaluated capillary blood gas analysis in 110 nurses and paramedics before and after wearing PPE for 4 h. There was no significant difference in the blood gas values analysed. However, 29% of the participants reported negative symptoms such as fatigue or drowsiness.…”