Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, UK.
Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Wrexham, UK.
Clin Med (Lond). 2023 Jan;23(1):24-30. doi: 10.7861/clinmed.2021-0642.
Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection control guidelines help limit transmission. However, poor confidence leads to higher levels of anxiety rates and infection. We assessed knowledge and confidence in PPE among HCWs and associated anxiety.
A cross-sectional, multi-centre survey using a validated questionnaire assessing actual and self-perceived knowledge on PPE was distributed among HCWs across the UK. Confidence in PPE and levels of anxiety were assessed using the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) tool.
In total, 1,055 responses were received; 99% had familiarity with PPE guidance; however, only 15% correctly answered questions on PPE guidance; 86% and 80% had received mask-fitting and donning-doffing training, respectively; 33% indicated poor/very poor hospital communication. Confidence and anxiety were related to: profession; comorbidities; self-perceived knowledge; and PPE training and communication.
Confidence in PPE was poor and anxiety was related to inadequate information and training. Thus, improved communication is required for effective response to subsequent COVID-19 waves and similar pandemics.
医护人员（HCWs）感染 2019 年冠状病毒（COVID-19）的风险增加。个人防护设备（PPE）和感染控制指南有助于限制传播。然而，信心不足会导致更高的焦虑率和感染率。我们评估了医护人员对 PPE 的知识和信心，并评估了相关的焦虑。
一项横断面、多中心调查，使用经过验证的问卷评估了英国各地 HCWs 对 PPE 的实际和自我感知知识。使用一般焦虑障碍-7（GAD-7）工具评估 PPE 的信心和焦虑程度。
共收到 1055 份回复；99%的人熟悉 PPE 指南；然而，只有 15%的人正确回答了 PPE 指南的问题；86%和 80%的人分别接受了口罩贴合和穿戴训练；33%的人表示医院沟通不畅。信心和焦虑与职业、合并症、自我感知知识以及 PPE 培训和沟通有关。
对 PPE 的信心不足，焦虑与信息和培训不足有关。因此，需要改进沟通，以有效应对随后的 COVID-19 浪潮和类似的大流行。
