Services on Demand
Journal
Article
Portuguese (pdf)
Article in xml format
Article references
Automatic translation
Send this article by e-mailIndicators
Cited by SciELO 
Access statistics
Related links
Similars in
SciELO
Share
Permalink
Revista de Enfermagem Referência
Print version ISSN 0874-0283On-line version ISSN 2182-2883
Abstract
SILVA, Maria do Céu Vaqueiro da; MARTINS, Matilde Delmina da Silva and SILVA, Norberto Aníbal Pires da. Complications of personal protective equipment use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rev. Enf. Ref. [online]. 2023, vol.serVI, n.2, e22051. Epub Aug 01, 2023. ISSN 0874-0283. https://doi.org/10.12707/rvi22051.
Background:
COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in 2020. Personal protective equipment (PPE) emerged as an effective measure to prevent and control transmission, resulting in several complications for health professionals.
Objectives:
To identify complications related to PPE use.
Methodology:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with 118 professionals from a local health unit who received an email invitation from the department manager to answer an online questionnaire. It received a favorable opinion from an Ethics Committee.
Results:
Most complications were associated with FPP2 respirators (96.6%), gowns (79.6%), and coveralls (89.3%), namely hyperhidrosis from wearing coveralls (95.3%), aprons (93.1%), and gowns (92.0%), falls from using shoe covers (94.6%), xeroderma from wearing gloves (65.2%), and oral communication difficulties due to mask use.
Conclusion:
The most frequent complications were hyperhidrosis, falls, and xeroderma. Oral and skin hydration is recommended. PPE should be worn for the minimum time possible.
Keywords : COVID-19; personal protective equipment; adverse effects.
