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Personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection among healthcare workers – what is the evidence?
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  • Zixing Tian,
  • Mike Stedman,
  • Martin Whyte,
  • Simon Andersen,
  • George Thomson,
  • Adrian Heald
Zixing Tian
The University of Manchester

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Mike Stedman
Res Consortium
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Martin Whyte
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Simon Andersen
University of West Indes
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George Thomson
International Journal of Clinical Practice, Royal Cornwall Hospital
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Adrian Heald
Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust
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Abstract

The worldwide outbreak of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has already put healthcare workers (HCWs) at a high risk of infection. The question of how to give HCWs the best protection against infection is a priority. Our literature review has indicated that the degree of protection required in looking after people with COVID-19 infection, is dependent on the particular environment to which the HCW is exposed. Covering more of the body could provide better protection for HCWs. Of importance, it is not just the provision of PPE but the skills in donning and doffing of PPE that are important, this being a key time for potential transmission of pathogen to the HCW and in due time from them to others. In relation to face masks, the evidence indicates that a higher-level specification of face masks (N95) seems to be essential to protect HCWs from Coronavirus infection. Evidence specifically around PPE and protection from the COVID-19 virus is minimal and at the level of anecdotal reports only.
12 May 2020Submitted to International Journal of Clinical Practice
12 May 2020Submission Checks Completed
12 May 2020Assigned to Editor
18 May 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
18 Jul 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Jul 2020Editorial Decision: Accept
Nov 2020Published in International Journal of Clinical Practice volume 74 issue 11. 10.1111/ijcp.13617