Personal protective equipment (PPE) related adverse skin reactions among healthcare workers at the main COVID-19 isolation center in Barbados

Bharatha, Ambadasu; Krishnamurthy, Kandamaran; Rahman, Sayeeda; Forde, Corey; Corbin-Harte, Rhea; Ojeh, Nkemcho; Kabir, Russell; Parsa, Ali Davod; Rabbi, Ahbab Mohammad Fazle; Majumder, Anwarul Azim

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.978590

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 47 publications

(70 reference statements)

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“…Long‐term using of PPE causes poor local circulation because of the pressure on the skin and skin damage because of the friction between the PPE and the skin, contributing to skin pain and problems 22 . On the other hand, Bharatha et al (2022) in Barbados 36 and our study results did not find a correlation between the duration using of PPE and skin reactions. In our study, the reason why the skin problem did not change significantly according to the duration of utilization per time can be explained by the fact that the mean of the duration of utilization (3.76 ± 1.36 hours) was lower than in other studies.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 64%

“…et al(2022) in Barbados36 and our study results did not find a correlation between the duration using of PPE and skin reactions. In our study, the reason why the skin problem did not change significantly according to the duration of utilization per time can be explained by the fact that the mean of the duration of utilization (3.76 ± 1.36 hours) was lower than in other studies.…”

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confidence: 71%

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Skin problems associated with using of personal protective equipment in COVID‐19 intensive care units

Altin,

Akbiyik

2023

Nursing in Critical Care

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BackgroundHealth care workers, who worked intensively during the COVID‐19 pandemic, faced some problems, including skin problems, due to the personal protective equipment (PPE) they used to control the spread of infection.AimsThis study aimed to identify the skin problems because of using PPE by nurses during the delivery of health care in three COVID‐19 intensive care units (ICUs) within one hospital service.Study designThe study was designed as a cross‐sectional survey. The study was conducted with nurses working in three intensive care units in the metropolitan districts of Ankara, Turkey. The data were collected online with a questionnaire developed by the researchers between December 2021 and June 2022.ResultsIn this study, 82/120 (68.33%) nurses responded to the questionnaire at least once during the distribution period. The mean of the duration of PPE utilization per each time including goggles, N95 mask, bonnet, face‐shield, gloves, boots/shoe covers and coverall was 3.76 ± 1.36 h. The proportion of nurses who experienced any skin problem related to any PPE at least two or more was 74/82 (90.24%). The proportion of pressure sores, acne, skin reaction including allergic dermatitis or contact urticaria, and regional pain varied between 4.9% and 79.3%. The proportion of nurses who applied any protective application to prevent skin problems was 53.66%. Among the protective applications, pressure‐reducing surfaces were used the most. The use of protective applications for goggles (p = .010), bonnet (p = .000) and face shield (p = .000) effectively reduced PPE‐related skin problems.ConclusionDuring the pandemic, nurses faced a wide variety of skin problems because of PPEs. It may be beneficial to design a study programme that reduces the duration of PPEs use in clinics. In addition, there is a need for effective protective applications to prevent skin problems and new development of PPE that do not cause skin problems.Relevance to clinical practiceIn the pandemic, skin problems have developed because of the use of PPE in nurses who provide health care, intensively. These problems, which were not seen as a priority in the pandemic, may adversely affect the health of nurses, their performance in the treatment and care process and their work quality.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 64%

contrasting

confidence: 71%

Skin problems associated with using of personal protective equipment in COVID‐19 intensive care units

Altin,

Akbiyik

2023

Nursing in Critical Care

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“…Masks are especially important for nursing staff, because social distancing and remote work are usually not possible for personnel providing hands-on care [ 32 ]. Consequently, the provision of PPE to nursing staff is a priority [ 10 , 32 ], including gloves, eyewear, surgical face masks (SFM), and filtering face piece (FFP) masks to prevent viral spread through contact or droplet transmission.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first case of COVID-19 in Barbados was reported on 17 March 2020 [ 10 ]; subsequently, the country adopted multiple strategies to combat the epidemic, including the rapid and broad deployment of vaccines [ 11 ]. However, vaccination rates plateaued at about 57%, and vaccine hesitancy has been a barrier to further uptake [ 12 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Hand Hygiene, Mask Use, and Social Distancing among Public Hospital and Polyclinic Nurses in Barbados during the Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic

Gaur,

Sealy,

Bharatha

et al. 2024

Epidemiologia

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Background: Nurses are essential members of the healthcare workforce and were among the first-line carers for patients in community and hospital settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, they were at a heightened risk of infection, resulting in several reported deaths among nursing staff. Several preventive measures were adopted to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This study aims to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of nurses regarding hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing measures in healthcare settings in Barbados during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: An online survey of nurses working in public hospitals and polyclinics (public primary care clinics) in Barbados from March 2021 to December 2021 was conducted. A nonsystematic convenience sampling method was employed to recruit nurses who were readily available and willing to participate. A questionnaire captured the sociodemographic information and knowledge and practices related to hand hygiene, the use of face masks, and social distancing. Each correct response received one mark. Overall knowledge scores were categorized as poor (<60%), average (60–80%), or good (>80–100%). Results: Of the 192 participants, the majority were female (82.8%) and had >5 years of experience (82%). The findings revealed that 45.8% had poor knowledge of hand hygiene, and that the knowledge of 43.8% of respondents was average. Multivariable logistic regression showed that, after adjustment for age and gender, registered nurses had 2.1 times increased odds (95% confidence interval 1.0, 4.2) of having good knowledge compared to other nursing categories. Regarding mask wearing, 53.6% of nurses had average knowledge, and 27.1% had good knowledge. Multivariable logistic regression showed that, after adjustment for age and gender, registered nurses had 3.3 times increased odds (95% confidence interval 1.5, 7.4) of having good knowledge compared to nursing assistants. A total of 68.6% of respondents followed the correct steps of handwashing every time, and 98.3% wore a mask in public places. More than half of the nurses (51.2%) kept a safe distance from others to avoid spreading SARS-CoV-2; one-third were in a crowded place(s) in the past three months, and 55.8% usually followed guidelines for social isolation as recommended by the WHO. Conclusions: The study identified knowledge deficiencies related to hand hygiene and wearing masks among nurses. It is imperative to provide additional training on infection control measures.

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Guarding Our Guardians: Navigating Adverse Reactions in Healthcare Workers Amid Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage During COVID-19

Pradhan,

Nimavat,

Mangrola

et al. 2024

Cureus

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The widespread utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic has been crucial for reducing transmission risk among healthcare workers (HCWs) and the public. However, the extensive use of PPE has brought about potential adverse reactions, particularly among HCWs. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of adverse skin reactions associated with PPE use among different categories of HCWs, including faculty, residents, and nursing officers (NOs), in a dedicated tertiary care COVID-19 hospital. The study design was a hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study conducted over one month, involving a total of 240 participants. The participants were required to complete a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire that covered demographic information, PPE-related data, preventive measures, observed reactions, and self-management strategies. Results indicated that adverse skin reactions were common among HCWs, with reactions reported by all participants. The most commonly used PPE included N95 masks, goggles, gloves, face shields, isolation gowns, and medical protective clothing. Excessive sweating (60% residents, 21.1% NOs, and 16.25% faculties), facial rash, dry palms (>70% of HCWs), and itching were among the most prevalent adverse reactions. Urticarial lesions (28.5% among NOs), pressure marks and pain (100% on the cheek among all HCWs), fungal infections (18.5% among residents at the web space of fingers), and skin breakdown were also reported. Factors such as age, gender, pre-existing skin problems, and oily/acne-prone skin history were found to be significantly associated with adverse skin reactions. In conclusion, the findings highlight the common adverse reactions reported by HCWs during the use of different PPEs. Certain steps taken by HCWs for the prevention of adverse reactions due to PPE emphasize the importance of tailored preventive measures and strategies to mitigate these adverse reactions, such as proper PPE selection, well-fitting equipment, regular breaks, and appropriate skincare practices. These insights contribute to the development of guidelines for optimal PPE usage and support the well-being of HCWs in their essential roles.

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Personal protective equipment (PPE) related adverse skin reactions among healthcare workers at the main COVID-19 isolation center in Barbados

Cited by 3 publications

References 47 publications

Skin problems associated with using of personal protective equipment in COVID‐19 intensive care units

Skin problems associated with using of personal protective equipment in COVID‐19 intensive care units

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Hand Hygiene, Mask Use, and Social Distancing among Public Hospital and Polyclinic Nurses in Barbados during the Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic

Guarding Our Guardians: Navigating Adverse Reactions in Healthcare Workers Amid Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage During COVID-19

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