A pilot study of core body temperatures in healthcare workers wearing personal protective equipment in a high-level isolation unit
Jocelyn J. Herstein, Abdoulaziz A. Abdoulaye, Katelyn C. Jelden, Aurora B. Lê, Elizabeth L. Beam, Shawn G. Gibbs, Angela Hewlett, Angela Vasa, Kathleen C. Boulter, Terry L. Stentz, Kelli R. Kopocis-Herstein, Wael ElRayes, Chris Wichman, John J. Lowe
Abstract
during the 4-hr shift; core temperatures of half (n = 3) of the participants exceeded 38.5 °C (101.3 °F), the upper core temperature limit. Future investigations are needed to identify other heat stress risks both in and outside of controlled units. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic offers unique opportunities for field-based research on risks of heat stress related to personal protective equipment in healthcare workers that can lead to both short- and long-term innovations in this field.
Topics & Concepts
Personal protective equipmentRespiratorHealth careMedicinePandemicCore temperatureIsolation (microbiology)Medical emergencyEnvironmental healthCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)DiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)Materials sciencePathologyAnesthesiaBiologyEconomic growthEconomicsMicrobiologyComposite materialClimate Change and Health ImpactsInfection Control and VentilationThermoregulation and physiological responses