1. Factors associated with access and use of PPE during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study of Italian physicians
- Author
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Maria Pia Fantini, Elena Neri, Davide Gori, Giorgia Argentini, Rachael Piltch-Loeb, Elena Savoia, Savoia E., Argentini G., Gori D., Neri E., Piltch-Loeb R., and Fantini M.P.
- Subjects
Male ,Viral Diseases ,Pulmonology ,Epidemiology ,Cross-sectional study ,Health Care Providers ,030501 epidemiology ,Geographical locations ,Medical Conditions ,0302 clinical medicine ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Pandemic ,Health care ,Odds Ratio ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,Surveys and Questionnaire ,Medicine ,Public and Occupational Health ,Medical Personnel ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Young adult ,Multidisciplinary ,Middle Aged ,Europe ,Professions ,Infectious Diseases ,Italy ,Engineering and Technology ,Female ,Safety Equipment ,Safety ,Coronavirus Infections ,0305 other medical science ,Human ,Research Article ,Biotechnology ,Adult ,Risk ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,Adolescent ,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ,Health Personnel ,Science ,Pneumonia, Viral ,MEDLINE ,Equipment ,Surgical and Invasive Medical Procedures ,Bioengineering ,Betacoronavirus ,Young Adult ,Respiratory Disorders ,03 medical and health sciences ,Physicians ,Humans ,European Union ,COVID-19 ,Medical risk factors ,Surgical and invasive medical procedures ,Respiratory infections ,Medical devices and equipmen ,Safety equipment ,Pandemics ,Personal Protective Equipment ,Personal protective equipment ,Aged ,Cross-Sectional Studie ,Infection Control ,Betacoronaviru ,Coronavirus Infection ,SARS-CoV-2 ,business.industry ,Biology and Life Sciences ,Covid 19 ,Odds ratio ,Health Care ,Risk perception ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Physician ,Medical Risk Factors ,Family medicine ,People and Places ,Respiratory Infections ,Population Groupings ,Medical Devices and Equipment ,Self Report ,business - Abstract
ObjectivesDuring the course of the Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, Italy has reported one of the highest number of infections. Nearly ten percent of reported coronavirus infections in Italy occurred in healthcare workers. This study aimed to understand physicians’ access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and to information about their use, risk perception and strategies adopted to prevent contracting the infection.MethodsWe undertook a cross-sectional, online self-reported survey implemented between March 31 and April 5 2020 of Italian physicians.ResultsResponses were received from 529 physicians, only 13% of which reported to have access to PPE every time they need them. Approximately half of the physicians reported that the information received about the use of PPE was either clear (47%) or complete (54%). Risk perception about contracting the infection was influenced by receiving adequate information on the use of PPE. Access to adequate information on the use of PPE was associated with better ability to perform donning and doffing procedures [OR=2.2 95% C.I. 1.7–2.8] and reduced perception of risk [OR=0.5, 95% C.I. 0.4–0.6].ConclusionsResults from this rapid survey indicate that while ramping up supplies on PPE for healthcare workers is certainly of mandatory importance, adequate training and clear instructions are just as important.
- Published
- 2020