Authors
Verbeek JH; Rajamaki B; Ijaz S; Sauni R; Toomey E; Blackwood B; Tikka C; Ruotsalainen JH; Kilinc Balci FS
Source
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020 May; (4):CD011621
Abstract
Background: In epidemics of highly infectious diseases, such as Ebola, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), or coronavirus (COVID-19), healthcare workers (HCW) are at much greater risk of infection than the general population, due to their contact with patients' contaminated body fluids. Personal protective equipment (PPE) can reduce the risk by covering exposed body parts. It is unclear which type of PPE protects best, what is the best way to put PPE on (i.e. donning) or to remove PPE (i.e. doffing), and how to train HCWs to use PPE as instructed. Objectives: To evaluate which type of full-body PPE and which method of donning or doffing PPE have the least risk of contamination or infection for HCW, and which training methods increase compliance with PPE protocols. Search methods: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL to 20 March 2020. Selection criteria: We included all controlled studies that evaluated the effect of full-body PPE used by HCW exposed to highly infectious diseases, on the risk of infection, contamination, or noncompliance with protocols. We also included studies that compared the effect of various ways of donning or doffing PPE, and the effects of training on the same outcomes. Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias in included trials. We conducted random effects meta-analyses were appropriate.
Keywords
Infectious diseases; Personal protective equipment; PPE; Health care personnel; Health care workers; Medical personnel; Body fluids; Training; Compliance; Risk management; Risk analysis; Systematic reviews; Employee exposure; Occupational exposure; Patient handling; Safety education; Safety practices; Preventive measures; Protective clothing; Infection prevention; Infection control; Disease control; Disease prevention; Disease transmission; Intervention; Intervention effectiveness; Safety research
Contact
Jos H Verbeek, Cochrane Work Review Group, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
jverbeek@cochrane.org
Priority Area
Healthcare and Social Assistance; Public Safety
Source Name
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
