Complications of personal protective equipment use during the COVID-19 pandemic

Silva, Maria do Céu Vaqueiro da; Martins, Matilde Delmina da Silva; Silva, Norberto Aníbal Pires da

doi:10.12707/rvi22051

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Revista de Enfermagem Referência

ISSN 0874-0283 ISSN 2182-2883

SILVA, Maria do Céu Vaqueiro da; MARTINS, Matilde Delmina da Silva SILVA, Norberto Aníbal Pires da. Complications of personal protective equipment use during the COVID-19 pandemic. []. , serVI, 2, e22051. 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.

: COVID-19; personal protective equipment; adverse effects.

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