Physiological Evaluation of Personal Protective Ensembles Recommended for Use in West Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 580-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aitor Coca ◽  
Tyler Quinn ◽  
Jung-Hyun Kim ◽  
Tianzhou Wu ◽  
Jeff Powell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Subjective Responses ◽  
Subjective Perceptions ◽  
Human Contact ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Surgical Gown ◽  
Physiological Evaluation

ABSTRACTObjectivePersonal protective equipment (PPE) provides health care workers with a barrier to prevent human contact with viruses like Ebola and potential transmission of the disease. However, PPE can also introduce an additional physiological burden from potentially increased heat stress. This study evaluated the human physiological and subjective responses to continuous light exercise within environmental conditions similar to those in West Africa while wearing 3 different, commonly used PPE ensembles (E1, E2, and E3).MethodsSix healthy individuals were tested in an environmental chamber (32°C, 92% relative humidity) while walking (3 METs, 2.5 mph, 0% incline) on a treadmill for 60 minutes. All subjects wore medical scrubs and PPE items. E1 also had a face shield and fluid-resistant surgical gown; E2 additionally included goggles, coverall, and separate hood; and E3 also contained a highly impermeable coverall, separate hood, and surgical mask cover over the N95 respirator.ResultsHeart rate and core temperature at the end of the exercise were significantly higher for E2 and E3 than for E1. Subjective perceptions of heat and exertion were significantly higher for E2 and E3 than for E1.ConclusionsHeat stress and PPE training, as well as the implementation of a work-to-rest ratio that avoids dehydration and possible heat stress issues, are recommended. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:580–586)

Physiological Evaluation of Cooling Devices in Conjunction With Personal Protective Ensembles Recommended for Use in West Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 573-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler Quinn ◽  
Jung-Hyun Kim ◽  
Amanda Strauch ◽  
Tianzhou Wu ◽  
Jeffery Powell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Subjective Responses ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Cooling Devices ◽  
Subjective Measurements ◽  
Physiological Evaluation ◽  
Stabilization Period

AbstractObjectiveCooling devices (CDs) worn under personal protective equipment (PPE) can alleviate some of the heat stress faced by health care workers responding to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.MethodsSix healthy, young individuals were tested while wearing 4 different CDs or no cooling (control) under PPE in an environmental chamber (32°C/92% relative humidity) while walking (3 METs, 2.5 mph, 0% grade) on a treadmill for 60 minutes. Exercise was preceded by a 15-minute stabilization period and a 15-minute donning period.ResultsThe control condition resulted in a significantly higher rectal temperature (Tre) at the end of the exercise than did all CD conditions (CD1,P=0.004; CD2,P=0.01; CD3,P=0.000; CD4,P=0.000) with CD1 and CD2 resulting in a higher Trethan CD3 and CD4 (P<0.05). The control condition resulted in a higher heart rate (HR) at the end of exercise than did the CD3 (P=0.01) and CD4 (P=0.009) conditions, whereas the HR of the CD1 and CD2 conditions was higher than that of the CD3 and CD4 conditions (P<0.05). Weight loss in the control condition was higher than in the CD3 (P=0.003) and CD4 (P=0.01) conditions. Significant differences in subjective measurements of thermal stress were found across conditions and time.ConclusionsUse of CDs can be advantageous in decreasing the negative physiological and subjective responses to the heat stress encountered by health care workers wearing PPE in hot and humid environments. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:573–579)

scholarly journals Prevalence ofStaphylococcus aureuscarriage among dogs and their owners

2007 ◽  
Vol 136 (7) ◽  
pp. 953-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. V. BOOST ◽  
M. M. O'DONOGHUE ◽  
A. JAMES
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Nasal Carriage ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Human Contact ◽  
Care Workers

SUMMARYCase reports have indicated transmission ofStaphylococcus aureusbetween humans and pets. We investigated associations between level of contact between dog and owner, andS. aureuscolonization. In a cross-sectional study, nasal carriage and antibiotic susceptibility ofS. aureuswas determined for 830 dogs and 736 owners. Relatedness of isolates was investigated using antibiograms and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Associations between carriage and demographics or amount of contact between owners and dogs were documented.S. aureuswas isolated in 24% of humans and 8·8% of dogs. Antibiotic resistance was significantly more common in canine isolates. Of 17 owner/dog colonized pairs, six were indistinguishable by PFGE. Colonization of dogs was not associated with close human contact, but was strongly associated with health-care occupations (OR 3·29, 95% CI 1·49–7·26,P=0·002). In outbreak situations health-care workers' pets should be considered as a source ofS. aureus. High rates of resistance indicate increased monitoring of antibiotic use in veterinary practice is needed.

Baseline Evaluation With a Sweating Thermal Manikin of Personal Protective Ensembles Recommended for Use in West Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 536-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aitor Coca ◽  
Travis DiLeo ◽  
Jung-Hyun Kim ◽  
Raymond Roberge ◽  
Ronald Shaffer
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Core Temperature ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
World Health ◽  
Thermal Manikin ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Sweating Thermal Manikin

AbstractObjectiveExperience with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) ensembles by health care workers responding to the Ebola outbreak in the hot, humid conditions of West Africa has prompted reports of significant issues with heat stress that has resulted in shortened work periods.MethodsA sweating thermal manikin was used to ascertain the time to achievement of a critical core temperature of 39°C while wearing 4 different PPE ensembles similar to those recommended by the World Health Organization and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) at 2 different ambient conditions (32°C/92% relative humidity and 26°C/80% relative humidity) compared with a control ensemble.ResultsPPE ensembles that utilized coveralls with moderate to high degrees of impermeability attained the critical core temperature in significantly shorter times than did other ensembles. Encapsulation of the head and neck region resulted in higher model-predicted subjective impressions of heat sensation.ConclusionsTo maximize work capacity and to protect health care workers in the challenging ambient conditions of West Africa, consideration should be given to adjustment of work and rest schedules, improvement of PPE (e.g., using less impermeable and more breathable fabrics that provide the same protection), and the possible use of cooling devices worn simultaneously with PPE. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:536–542)

COVID-19 and Dentistry — Are we Ready

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 1452-1457
Author(s):  
Nandini Prakash Hake ◽  
Kumar Gaurav Chhabra ◽  
Akib Sheikh ◽  
Sayali Limsay ◽  
Simran Nathani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
Dental Patients ◽  
Dental Health Care ◽  
Human Contact ◽  
Dental Procedures ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Coronavirus Infection ◽  
General Wellbeing

The pandemic of coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) started from Wuhan, China, in December a year ago and has become a significant test to general wellbeing China as well as nations around the globe. Affecting the population of 4,735,622 in the world and leads to the death of 316,289 till 19th May 2020, according to reports of WHO. The COVID-19 spread rapidly by a human to human contact through small droplets from mouth and nose. Other possible routes of transmission for COVID-19, include airborne spread via aerosols produces during dental procedures. The dentists are at higher risk of getting infected by coronavirus disease with many routine dental procedures having the possibility to transmit the virus through aerosols. During the time of COVID-19 pandemic disease, the health care workers should be provided with protective apparatus including face shields, goggles, mask, gloves, gown or coverall, headcover and rubber boots. American Dental Association has maintained a consistency neutral stance since the pandemic was recognized. They appealed dental health care workers to put off elective dental procedures for dental patients and to provide only urgent dental care. Essential phone screening to distinguish suspected patients or likely COVID-19 contaminated can be correctly done during routine dental arrangements. This review highlights on the structure of coronavirus, its modes of communication, how dental health care workers are at higher risk, urgent dental procedures that should only begin during the crisis and basis preventive measures taken by dental health care workers.

Academic Institutions’ Critical Guidelines for Health Care Workers Who Deploy to West Africa for the Ebola Response and Future Crises

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 586-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilarie Cranmer ◽  
Miriam Aschkenasy ◽  
Ryan Wildes ◽  
Stephanie Kayden ◽  
David Bangsberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Medical Response ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Health Care Infrastructure ◽  
And Control

AbstractThe unprecedented Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa, with its first cases documented in March 2014, has claimed the lives of thousands of people, and it has devastated the health care infrastructure and workforce in affected countries. Throughout this outbreak, there has been a critical lack of health care workers (HCW), including physicians, nurses, and other essential non-clinical staff, who have been needed, in most of the affected countries, to support the medical response to EVD, to attend to the health care needs of the population overall, and to be trained effectively in infection protection and control. This lack of sufficient and qualified HCW is due in large part to three factors: 1) limited HCW staff prior to the outbreak, 2) disproportionate illness and death among HCWs caused by EVD directly, and 3) valid concerns about personal safety among international HCWs who are considering responding to the affected areas. These guidelines are meant to inform institutions who deploy professional HCWs. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:586–590)

scholarly journals Knowledge about Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) among health-care workers working at a Secondary Care Hospital.

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (03) ◽  
pp. 271-276
Author(s):  
Rashida Riaz ◽  
Ahmed Mujtaba Memon ◽  
Ahmed Waqas ◽  
Fareha Kashan Theba ◽  
Zohra Jabeen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Human Contact ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Objectives: COVID-19 ‘Corona Virus Disease-2019’ was declared Public Health Emergency. The objective was to assess knowledge of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) among health care workers. Study Design: Cross Sectional Observational study. Setting: Naz Memorial Hospital. Period: 13th to 21st March 2020. Material & Methods: This study using consecutive sampling technique was done among health care workers including doctors and other health care workers (HCW). After ethical approval from the IRB, data collection was done. Questionnaire was made for assessing knowledge. For data entering, SPSS version 23.0 was used. The responses were reported and expressed as frequency and percentages. Results: 60 doctors, 90 nurses and other health care workers, all doctors and 87 % HCW regarded COVID-19 as problem for all communities. 90 % doctors, 80 % HCW felt work performance being affected. All study participants agreed COVID-19 affected their social and psychological life. 30 % doctors and 80 % HCW regarded all coronavirus patients experience fever, dry cough, tiredness and difficulty in breathing. Almost all participants regarded coronavirus could spread from human-to-human contact; mortality related to co-morbid and age extremes. No participant knew how to handle COVID-19 patient due to unavailability of guidelines. Conclusion: Most doctors were aware of the knowledge regarding novel COVID-19, however some health care workers were not fully aware of consequences and effects of coronavirus. Being the first in line of duty to manage COVID-19 patients it is vital to provide guideline in addition to safety measures for ensuring proper treatment and limit spread of disease.

scholarly journals Heat Stress and PPE during COVID-19: Impact on health care workers' performance, safety and well-being in NHS settings.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Lee Davey ◽  
Ben James Lee ◽  
Timothy Robbins ◽  
Harpal Randeva ◽  
Charles Doug Thake
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Attentional Focus ◽  
Specific Work ◽  
Facial Region ◽  
Care Workers

Background: The impermeable nature of PPE worn by health care workers (HCWs) during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic can potentiate heat stress which may negatively impact the performance, safety and well-being of HCWs. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate perceived levels of heat stress and its consequences in HCWs required to wear PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Method: An anonymous online survey was distributed to HCWs required to wear Type 1 or 2 PPE in NHS settings to evaluate the perceived impact of PPE on: (1) physical and cognitive performance; (2) heat stress and heat-related symptoms; (3) frequency of removing PPE due to discomfort caused by heat stress; and (4) general working-life and well-being. Results: The survey received 224 responses from 192 (85.7%) women and 32 (14.3%) men. Even though 71.9% of respondents wore the less thermally challenging PPE (i.e. Type 2), a median of 3 (IQR: 2,5) heat-related symptoms were reported including syncope (7.7%). A median of 1 (IQR: 0-3) cognitive task was adversely affected with attentional focus being the most affected. To relieve discomfort, 32.6% reported removing PPE on five or more occasions in a shift. Ninety two percent reported PPE made their job more difficult and 76.2% advised that physical performance was impaired. Respondents also highlighted concerns of dermatitis and pressure sores in the facial region (22.3%) amongst other factors. Conclusion: Heat stress experienced when PPE is worn negatively impacts the performance, safety and well-being of HCWs and patients. Therefore, modification to current working practices and current design of PPE is urgently required to improve HCWs resilience to pandemics of infectious diseases. Results suggest modifications to the design of the protective face mask and strict enforcement of specific work/rest ratios to limit the duration of PPE use would be immediate impactful interventions.

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