Difficulties in using personal protective equipment: Training experiences with the 2015 outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome in Korea

Am J Infect Control. 2018 Feb;46(2):235-237. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2017.08.041. Epub 2017 Oct 16.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate practical barriers to personal protective equipment (PPE) use found through health care personnel (HCP) training sessions held during and after the 2015 Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak in Korea. Difficulties observed were ill-fitting sizes, anxiety, confusion from unstandardized protocols, doubts about PPE quality and effectiveness, and complexity of using several PPE items together. Further research to generate robust evidence and repeated HCP trainings are necessary to ensure HCP and patient safety in future outbreaks.

Keywords: Focus group interview; Health care personnel; Personal protective equipment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Health Personnel*
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / prevention & control*
  • Personal Protective Equipment*
  • Republic of Korea / epidemiology