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Personal protective equipment for COVID-19 among healthcare workers in an emergency department: An exploratory survey of workload, thermal discomfort and symptoms of heat strain.
Hunt, Andrew; Ting, Joseph; Schweitzer, Daniel; Laakso, E-Liisa; Stewart, Ian.
  • Hunt A; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
  • Ting J; School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
  • Schweitzer D; Department of Emergency Medicine, Mater Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
  • Laakso EL; Centre for Neurosciences, Mater Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
  • Stewart I; Wesley Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Emerg Med Australas ; 35(3): 483-488, 2023 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2315503
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES:

To examine workload, thermal discomfort and heat-related symptoms among healthcare workers (HCWs) in an Australian ED during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional study design was employed among HCWs in an ED at a metropolitan hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Respondents provided demographic information including their self-reported age, sex, height, weight, role (e.g. doctor, nurse), and whether they wore personal protective equipment (PPE) during their shift, rated as either Full PPE, Partial PPE, or usual uniform or scrubs. The workload of HCWs was assessed with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's task load index (NASA-TLX). Thermal discomfort was evaluated using scales from the International Organisation for Standardisation. Responders rated their subjective heat illness using the Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire.

RESULTS:

Fifty-nine HCWs completed the survey (27 male, 31 female, one prefer not to answer). Overall workload from the NASA-TLX was 64.6 (interquartile range [IQR] 56.5-73.3) for doctors, 72.5 (IQR 63.3-83.3) for nurses and 66.7 (IQR 58.3-74.17) for other staff, representing moderate to high ratings. Eighty-one percent reported thermal sensation to be slightly warm, warm, or hot, and 88% reported being uncomfortable, ranging from slightly to extremely. Ninety-seven percent reported at least one heat-strain symptom. More than 50% reported light-headedness or headache and approximately 30% reported feeling dizzy, faint, or weak.

CONCLUSIONS:

ED HCWs experience thermal discomfort when wearing PPE. Combined with their workloads, HCWs experienced symptoms related to heat strain. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to managing heat strain among HCWs when wearing PPE in an ED.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Oceania Language: English Journal: Emerg Med Australas Journal subject: Emergency Medicine Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 1742-6723.14152

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Oceania Language: English Journal: Emerg Med Australas Journal subject: Emergency Medicine Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 1742-6723.14152