The Use of Personal Protective Equipment among Frontline Nurses in a Nationally Designated COVID-19 Hospital during the Pandemic

Factors influencing nurses' compliance related to the use of personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic: A descriptive cross-sectional study

AIM

To determine how nurses' experiences with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic affected their knowledge, awareness, and compliance related to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.

DESIGN

A descriptive cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A total of 247 nurses in South Korea participated in this study between May 10 and 19, 2023. An online self-report questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic and occupational characteristics, COVID-19 experience, knowledge, awareness, and compliance related to the use of PPE. Factors affecting compliance were analysed using hierarchical multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

Mean age of the nurses was 31.92, and 94.3% were women. Most had a bachelor's degree or higher and the mean clinical experience as a nurse was 6.45 years. Knowledge of the use of PPE was 8.45 out of 10, awareness was 3.52 out of 5, and compliance was 4.28 out of 5. Knowledge and awareness were correlated with compliance related to PPE use. Awareness (β = 0.234, p < 0.001), knowledge (β = 0.218, p < 0.001), experience caring for COVID-19 patients (β = 0.234, p = 0.004), optional fourth dose vaccine (β = 0.150, p = 0.017), clinical experience (β = 0.140, p = 0.022), and COVID-19 infection control education (β = 0.115, p = 0.037) were found to have a significant impact on compliance.

CONCLUSION

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses' knowledge and awareness of PPE use was a crucial factor in compliance. factors such as clinical experience, experience in caring for COVID-19 patients, optional vaccination, and completion of COVID-19 education also influenced compliance. We hope that these factors can provide a basis for developing training programs for nurses to respond to future emerging infectious diseases.

Facial Dermatoses Associated With Mask-Wearing in the COVID-19 Era: A Nationwide, Cross-Sectional, Multicenter, Questionnaire-based Study

BACKGROUND

Daily usage of facial masks during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic influenced on facial dermatoses.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the impact of mask-wearing habits on facial dermatoses.

METHODS

A nationwide, observational, questionnaire-based survey was conducted from July through August 2021, involving 20 hospitals in Korea.

RESULTS

Among 1,958 facial dermatoses, 75.9% of patients experienced aggravation or development of new-onset facial dermatoses after wearing masks. In aggravated or newly developed acne patients (543 out of 743), associated factors were healthcare provider, female gender, and a long duration of mask-wearing. Irritating symptoms, xerosis, and hyperpigmentation were more frequently observed in this group. Aggravated or newly developed rosacea patients (515 out of 660) were likely to be female, young, and have a long duration of mask-wearing per day. Seborrheic dermatitis patients who experienced aggravation or de novo development (132 out of 184) were younger, and they more frequently involved the chin and jaw in addition to the nasolabial folds and both cheeks. Contact dermatitis patients (132 out of 147) with aggravation or de novo development tended to be female, involve both cheeks, and complain of pruritus. Aggravated or newly developed atopic dermatitis patients (165 out of 224) were more likely to be female, and had a higher baseline investigator global assessment score before mask-wearing.

CONCLUSION

Clinical features and factors related to aggravation were different according to the types of facial dermatoses.

Guidelines for Infection Control and Burnout Prevention in Healthcare Workers Responding to COVID-19

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) suffered more distress from the possibility of contracting the virus, quarantine, social stigma, and prejudice against their families. Many studies have investigated the impact of the pandemic on HCWs; however, studies or guidelines presenting strategies to overcome these challenges are lacking. As part of a 2020 research project supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, titled "Health impact assessment of healthcare workers undertaking coronavirus disease 2019 treatment and management in Korea: Identifying problems and researching effective solutions" (HC20C0003), we created guidelines to respond to serious problems posed by infection control. and burnout among HCWs during COVID-19 response measures throughout the extended pandemic period. We formulated the guidelines by means of a systematic review and collated them with the latest literature. The guidelines will highlight the gravity and impact of infection control and burnout among HCWs responding to COVID-19 and include potential prevention strategies, and they can be used as a reference in the event of another emerging infectious disease outbreak in the future.

Covid-19 and personal protective equipment: The experience of nurses engaged in care of Sars-Cov-2 patients: A phenomenological study

AIM

The study aims to explore the experiences of nurses who have worked in Covid-19 wards providing care for Covid-19 patients.

BACKGROUND

During the Covid-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment (PPE) was considered an effective and guaranteed protective measure.

METHODS

This is a descriptive qualitative study with thematically analysed interviews. Twelve nurses working (specify context) were interviewed.

RESULT

Three themes emerged from interviews: (1) confidence with PPE used during the Covid-19 crisis, (2) training in the use of PPE and (3) technical requirements for PPE.

CONCLUSIONS

This study clarified the importance of PPE quality and choice in establishing comfort for nurses and providing better patient care. These results could suggest useful elements to improve the PPE products by making them more comfortable for health care workers.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Our results are important to promote and suggest prevention measures that are as comfortable and suitable as possible for health workers involved in the Covid-19 emergency, and also for potential future similar crises.

The difference in strategies for prevention of COVID-19 transmission in hospitals: A nationwide survey results in the Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND

Hospital infection control measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are often based on expert discretion due to the lack of detailed guidelines.

AIM

To survey the current strategies for preventing COVID-19 spread in medical institutions.

METHODS

Thirteen key issues related to COVID-19 transmission prevention within medical institutions were selected via discussion among infectious diseases specialists, and related critical questions were subsequently obtained following a review of national-level guidelines in government databases. Six hospitals had an open survey between 11^th and 25^th August 2020 to provide responses to these topics. An online questionnaire developed from these data was sent to infection control teams of 46 South Korean hospitals between 31^st January 2021 and 20^th February 2021.

FINDINGS

All 46 hospitals responded to the survey. All operated screening clinics, but 89.1% (41/46) allowed symptomatic patients without COVID-19-associated symptoms to visit the general outpatient clinics. Most hospitals (87.2%; 34/39) conducted PCR tests for all hospitalised patients. Of 35/46 (76.1%) hospitals with preemptive isolation policies for hospitalised patients, 31 (88.6%) released patients from isolation after a single negative PCR test while most (76.9%; 20/26) allowed shared-room accommodation for patients meeting the national criteria for release from isolation despite positive PCR results with above cycle threshold values (34.6%; 9/26) or after a certain period that satisfied the national criteria (26.9%; 7/26).

CONCLUSION

Individual hospitals in South Korea are currently relying on experience to frame relevant guidelines and responded differently to some infection control issues on hospital settings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adaptations in Vascular Access Procedures as an Initiative to Protect Healthcare Workers Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID‐19 has led to procedural changes in vascular access services to protect healthcare workers and patients from further spread of the virus. Operational changes made by the vascular access service at a healthcare system in New York City during the first wave of the COVID‐19 (SARS‐CoV‐2) pandemic included a team‐based approach as well as consideration for types of lines placed to address the increase in patient volume while providing safety to healthcare workers and conserving personal protective equipment. The study consists of two samples of adult inpatients admitted to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City in need of vascular access. Chi‐square tests of independence were used to analyze trends in data. By the fourth wave, usage of shorter lifespan ultrasound‐guided peripheral intravenous lines increased significantly and the use of longer lasting intravenous catheters decreased significantly between the first and fourth waves of COVID‐19. This paper aims to show that with greater knowledge about proper personal protective equipment and mindful resource use, hospitals are able to become more comfortable and efficient while providing increasingly frequent vascular access services in the current and future pandemics.

Emergency nurses' attitudes, perceptions about personal protective equipment and willingness to care for COVID-19 patients: A descriptive, cross-sectional study

Aims

This study investigated emergency nurses' attitudes and perceptions about personal protective equipment and their association with the willingness to care for COVID‐19 patients.

Background

Emergency nurses are at increased risk for COVID‐19 infection as frontline workers and must wear personal protective equipment while attending suspected and confirmed COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

In September 2021, 188 nurses in four emergency departments completed online questionnaires.

Results

Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that as perceptions of COVID‐19 infection risk increased by 1 point, 26% of nurses were willing to care of COVID‐19 patients. The willingness to care for COVID‐19 patients increased in their attitudes by 1.16 point and perceptions by 1.08 points about PPE.

Conclusions

Perceptions of the risk of infection exposure and confidence in safety of personal protective equipment are associated with nurses' willingness to care for COVID‐19 patients.

Implications for Nursing Management

Nurse managers need to assess nurses' needs for safety and provide a supportive climate to mitigate their concerns regarding infection risk and encourage nurses' willingness to care for patients. Nurse managers should provide precise guidelines on correct personal protective equipment use. Repetitive training on personal protective equipment should be provided to encourage nurses' adaptation to its use.

US Nurses’ Challenges with Personal Protective Equipment during COVID-19: Interview Findings from the Frontline Workforce

This study aimed to describe nurses’ experiences with personal protective equipment while providing patient care during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. From May 2020 to September 2020, 100 individual interviews were conducted with nurses from diverse backgrounds and practice settings. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and verified for thematic analysis. Three key themes emerged related to personal protective equipment during COVID-19: (1) concerns with safety, (2) concerns with personal protective equipment supply, and (3) concerns with health care systems changing personal protective equipment policies. These findings support the importance of transparent and equitable institution-wide PPE standards in creating safe working environments. Clear communication around personal protective equipment policies and procedures, personal protective equipment education, and assurance of equitable access to equipment that can mitigate risk and disability while also reducing fear, confusion, and frustration among nurses. Maintaining clear and consistent personal protective equipment guidelines and communication regarding supplies and procedures enhances transparency during both routine and critical times de-escalating the inevitable strain concomitant with providing patient care during a global pandemic.