A Study on the Process of Donning and Doffing Personal Protective Equipment of Health Care Workers (HCWs) in China

Abstract

Introduction:

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a necessary item in the period of unknown and high risk emerging infectious disease. It is not only the necessary requirement of strict isolation but also the last line of defense to protect medical staff.

Aim:

To determine the frequency and sites of contamination of personnel during the process of using Chinese PPE.

Methods:

Recruit 56 health care workers (HCWs) who worked in front-line clinical to test PPE issued by the Chinese Center for Disease Control for preventing Ebola virus. Eight batches of HCWs were divided to conduct simulations of contaminated PPE removal using fluorescent lotion. Then the frequency and sites of contamination of personnel were recorded after removal of contaminated PPE. The method of visual observation was used to determine contamination.

Results:

The frequency of easily contaminated parts included: left hand and wrist (7 times), left calf (7 times), front chest center, left and right chest (6 times each), and left abdomen (5 times). Mistakes in the process of wearing PPE included: clothing touching the ground (20.00%), N95 air mask tightness not checked (13.33%), glove air-tightness not checked (4.44%), protective clothing zipper not checked (4.44%). Mistakes in doffing PPE included: clothes touching the ground or the inner surface is polluted (20.00%), the wrong method of removing N95 mask (14.44%), touching the pollution goggles mirror with hands (12.22%), incomplete washing steps, insufficient time and frequency of hand hygiene (11.11%).

Discussion:

It is necessary to carry out training on PPE donning and doffing for Chinese medical workers.