College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE.
Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE.
Am J Infect Control. 2011 Jun;39(5):415-420. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2010.07.009. Epub 2011 Jan 21.
Given the potential for the transfer of infectious diseases among patients in isolation, health care workers (HCWs), and other patients in the hospital environment, the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is paramount. The literature is limited regarding studies of HCWs' use of PPE in patient care tasks.
A pilot study was conducted to examine the feasibility of using a simulated health care environment to assess HCWs' technique when implementing standard airborne and contact isolation precautions. The participants (n = 10) were assigned patient care tasks based on their specific professional roles. The encounters were digitally recorded during donning and doffing of PPE, as well as during interactions with the simulated patient. Powdered fluorescent marker was used as a measure of contamination.
The pilot data show various inconsistencies in the HCWs' PPE technique. Each of the 10 participants committed at least one breach of standard airborne and contact isolation precautions.
An expanded research study of HCW behaviors is needed to properly examine these contamination and exposure pathways. Training programs should be developed that emphasize the common errors in HCWs' PPE technique.
鉴于隔离患者、医护人员（HCWs）和医院环境中的其他患者之间传染病传播的可能性，正确使用个人防护设备（PPE）至关重要。关于医护人员在患者护理任务中使用 PPE 的研究文献有限。
进行了一项试点研究，以检验使用模拟医疗环境评估医护人员在实施标准空气传播和接触隔离预防措施时的技术的可行性。根据特定的专业角色为参与者（n=10）分配了患者护理任务。在穿戴和脱下 PPE 以及与模拟患者互动期间，对 PPE 的使用进行了数字记录。粉末状荧光标记物被用作污染的衡量标准。
试点数据显示，医护人员的 PPE 技术存在各种不一致之处。10 名参与者中的每一位都至少违反了一项标准的空气传播和接触隔离预防措施。
需要进行更多的医护人员行为研究，以正确检查这些污染和暴露途径。应制定培训计划，强调医护人员在 PPE 技术方面的常见错误。
