Use of personal protective equipment among health care personnel: Results of clinical observations and simulations

HighlightsAmong 130 simulations, contamination occurred in 79.2% during the doffing process.Despite feedback, contaminations still occurred in 82% of 22 follow‐up simulations.Devising better personal protective equipment education and protocols is necessary to ensure health care personnel safety. Background Very little is known about how health care personnel (HCP) actually use personal protective equipment (PPE). Methods The clinical PPE practices of 50 HCP from selected units at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Presbyterian Hospital were videotaped with HCP consent. For 2 PPE simulation sessions (simple and full‐body sets), 82 HCP were recruited throughout the UPMC system. Simulation practices were videotaped and examined using fluorescent powder with ultraviolet lighting. All participants completed an electronic survey. For a follow‐up evaluation simulation, 12 HCP were recruited among simulation participants. Results Among 130 total sessions from 65 participants, contamination occurred in 79.2% of simulations during the doffing process with various PPE items: simple set (92.3%) and full‐body set (66.2%). Among 11 follow‐up evaluation participants, contaminations still occurred in 82% after receiving individual feedback, but the overall contamination level was reduced. Using the contamination information gained during the simulation analysis, 66% of potential contamination was estimated for the clinical observation. Concerns and barriers in PPE use from HCP survey responses were as follows: time‐consuming, cumbersomeness, and PPE effectiveness. Conclusions Although HCP knew they were being videotaped, contamination occurred in 79.2% of the PPE simulations. Devising better standardized PPE protocols and implementing innovative PPE education are necessary to ensure HCP safety.