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Luze H, Nischwitz SP, Kotzbeck P, Fink J, Holzer JCJ, Popp D, Kamolz LP. Personal protective equipment in the COVID-19 pandemic and the use of cooling-wear as alleviator of thermal stress : A pilot study in plastic surgery staff members. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2020; 133:312-320. [PMID: 33301061 PMCID: PMC7727095 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-020-01775-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Background High temperatures at workplaces lead to health-related risks and premature exhaustion. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic requires many health professionals to perform under unfavorable conditions. Personal protective equipment (PPE) causes thermal stress and negatively affects performance. Patients, materials and methods This pilot project investigated the effects of PPE and additional cooling wear on physiological parameters and concentration of six healthy staff members of the Plastic Surgery Department of the Medical University of Graz, Austria during simulated patient care. In this study two 1‑hour cycles with patient care-related tasks with PPE and PPE + cooling-wear, respectively, were conducted. A third cycle with scrubs exclusively served as baseline/negative control. The assessment occurred immediately pre-cycles and post-cycles. Results Pre-cycle assessments showed no significant differences between the cycles. After PPE cycle, increased physical stress levels and decrements in concentration capacity were observed. Physiological parameters were significantly less affected in the cooling cycle, while concentration capacity slightly increased. Conclusion COVID-19 PPE causes considerable thermal stress, ultimately affecting human performance. As opportunity to withstand thermal stress, and improve patients’ and professionals’ safety, cooling-wear can be considered relevant. Medical personnel performing in exceptional situations may particularly benefit from further development and investigation of cooling strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Luze
- JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, COREMED-Cooperative Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 2, 8010, Graz, Austria.
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Sebastian P Nischwitz
- JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, COREMED-Cooperative Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 2, 8010, Graz, Austria
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Petra Kotzbeck
- JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, COREMED-Cooperative Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 2, 8010, Graz, Austria
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Fink
- JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, COREMED-Cooperative Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 2, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Judith C J Holzer
- JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, COREMED-Cooperative Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 2, 8010, Graz, Austria
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Daniel Popp
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Lars-Peter Kamolz
- JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, COREMED-Cooperative Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 2, 8010, Graz, Austria
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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