Personal Protective Equipment in Health Workers during Coronavirus Disease-19 Outbreak

Dragan Mijakoski; Sasho Stoleski; Dragana Bislimovska; Elena Pazheska-Dimitrioski; Elizabeta Karasmanakis; Jordan Minov; Jovanka Karadzinska-Bislimovska

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2020.5621

Authors

Dragan Mijakoski Department of Allergy, Institute of Occupational Health of RM, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia; Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius, University in Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
Sasho Stoleski Department of Allergy, Institute of Occupational Health of RM, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia; Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius, University in Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
Dragana Bislimovska Department of Allergy, Institute of Occupational Health of RM, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia; Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius, University in Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
Elena Pazheska-Dimitrioski Health Centre, Prilep, Republic of Macedonia
Elizabeta Karasmanakis Health Centre, Bitola, Republic of Macedonia
Jordan Minov Department of Allergy, Institute of Occupational Health of RM, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia; Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius, University in Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
Jovanka Karadzinska-Bislimovska Department of Allergy, Institute of Occupational Health of RM, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia; Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius, University in Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2020.5621

Keywords:

pandemic, masks, gloves, satisfaction, quality, availability, SARS-CoV-2, healthcare

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus (CoV) disease (COVID)-19 pandemic has put immense pressure on the healthcare systems worldwide.

AIM: The aim of the actual study was to assess the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) in health workers (HWs) during an outbreak.

METHODS: The study was conducted in April-May 2020 using an on-line questionnaire. Completed surveys were returned by 560 HWs (297 physicians, 79 nurses/technicians, 78 dentists, 9 pharmacists, and 97 other HWs).

RESULTS: High proportion of HWs was using one surgery mask for two or more times or not using it at all when contacting patients who were self-isolated (35.3%) or severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV)-2 positive (19.3%). More than 90% of participants were using surgery masks and gloves every time or almost every time while working with patients who were self-isolated or SARS-CoV-2 positive. High frequency of participants reported: No isolation zones at the workplace (61.2%), no triage of patients at the entrance (33.4%), and not attended a training course about the correct usage of PPE (72%).

CONCLUSION: The data obtained can be used in the creation of specific interventions in healthcare settings aimed at providing high-quality PPE through the development of a national healthcare strategy that can lead to the prevention of COVID-19 in HWs.

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Author Biography

Dragan Mijakoski, Department of Allergy, Institute of Occupational Health of RM, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia; Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius, University in Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia

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