The impact of goggle-associated harms to health and working status of nurses during management of COVID-19

Abstract

Background To investigate the impact of goggles on their health and clinical practice during management of patients with COVID-19.Methods 231 nurse practitioners were enrolled who worked in isolation region in designated hospitals to admit patients with COVID-19 in China. Demographic data, goggle-associated symptoms and underlying reasons, incidence of medical errors or exposures, the effects of fog in goggles on practice were all collected. Data were stratified and analyzed by age or working experience. Risk factors of goggle-associated medical errors were analyzed by multivariable logistical regression analysis.Findings Goggle-associated symptoms and foggy goggles widely presented in nurses. The most common symptoms were headache, skin pressure injury and dizziness. Headache, vomit and nausea were significantly fewer reported in nurses with longer working experience while rash occurred higher in this group. The underlying reasons included tightness of goggles, unsuitable design and uncomfortable materials. The working status of nurses with more working experience was less impacted by goggles. 11.3% nurses occurred medical exposures in clinical practice while 19.5% nurses made medical errors on patients. The risk factors for medical errors were time interval before adapting to goggle-associated discomforts, adjusting goggles and headache.

The Association between Using Personal Protective Equipment and Headache among Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia Hospitals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Similar results were reported by Williams et al (2020), noting a range of physiological discomforts, when wearing PPEs including facemask and eye protection for a prolonged period [ 13 ]. Furthermore, according to the literature, PPE use was associated with discomfort that could affect performance [ 7 , 8 , 21 ]. Thus, there is a need to discuss the consequences of wearing PPE.…”

“…Headaches associated with PPE usage have significant and adverse impacts on healthcare workers’ health and performance outcomes. A study contended that most healthcare workers develop exacerbation of their pre-existing headache disorders [ 21 ], which affects their level of work performance. Approximately 91% of respondents in a study exploring the association between headache and PPE stated that increased protective wear usage impacted their control of existing headache issues [ 8 ].…”

Adverse Effects of Personal Protective Equipment Among Intensive Care Unit Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

“…Reported discomfort included retroauricular pain (81.8%), chest distress or dyspnea (78.5%), and dizziness or palpitations (42.1%). Another study employed a retrospective cross-sectional design focusing on the relationship between goggles and health in nurses (He et al, 2020). The study revealed that the most common goggle-related symptoms were headaches (79.1%), followed by nausea (46.8%).…”

The Need for Ocular Protection for Health Care Workers During SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak and a Hypothesis for a Potential Personal Protective Equipment

“…In a recent survey conducted during SARS-CoV-2 outbreak on 231 nurses in China, use of eye goggles caused headache, skin pressure injury and dizziness in 79%, 66%, and 49% of nurses, respectively. 82.7% of nurses subjectively reported that use of eye goggles negatively impacted their working status, and events of medical errors were reported in 19.5% of nurses wearing goggles (49). Third, foggy goggles may interfere with vision and need frequent adjustment during use, which was reported in 59.7% of nurses in China (49).…”

“…82.7% of nurses subjectively reported that use of eye goggles negatively impacted their working status, and events of medical errors were reported in 19.5% of nurses wearing goggles (49). Third, foggy goggles may interfere with vision and need frequent adjustment during use, which was reported in 59.7% of nurses in China (49). The adjustment may lead to increased risk of being infected.…”