Use of personal protective equipments during COVID-19 pandemic in resource limited settings - the barest minimum needed

ABSTRACT

Personal Protective Equipment are protective gear designed to safeguard the health care workers by minimizing exposure to a biological agent. Personal protective equipment includes mask, gloves, face and eye protection (face shield, goggles), gowns and full body suits. Different types of masks are available for specific purposes. Masks are intended for protecting others from respiratory emissions of the wearer while respirator protects wearer from small particles like aerosols besides large droplets. Face shields provide a barrier for suddenly expelled aerosol of body fluids and are commonly used as an alternative to goggles. Isolation gowns may be adequate for medium risk while coveralls provide full protection. It is important to know and appropriately choose the gowns based on the fabric and reliability of manufacturer. All health care workers need to be taught the correct sequence of donning and doffing-PPE in order to avoid contamination. Though not ideal, the most effective methods of sterilizing and reusing N95 masks during scarcity may have to be adopted. Essential protective measures depend heavily on the location of patient contact, the role of the particular health care facility and the hazard vulnerability analysis. Hazards for the health care worker can be through air, surface, equipment and body secretions. Personal Protective Equipment reduces the risk of acquiring infection through any of these routes. This article deals with the selection of appropriate personal protective equipment for the health care workers managing suspected or proven COVID-19 infected persons.