Personal protective equipment for preventing highly infectious diseases due to exposure to contaminated body fluids in healthcare staff
Jos Verbeek, Blair Rajamaki, Sharea Ijaz, Riitta Sauni, Elaine Toomey, Bronagh Blackwood, Christina Tikka, Jani Ruotsalainen, F Selcen Kilinc Balci
Abstract
In epidemics of highly infectious diseases, such as Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), healthcare workers (HCW) are at much greater risk of infection than the general population, due to their contact with patients' contaminated body fluids. Contact precautions by means of personal protective equipment (PPE) can reduce the risk. It is unclear which type of PPE protects best, what is the best way to remove PPE, and how to make sure HCW use PPE as instructed.
Topics & Concepts
Personal protective equipmentHealth careMedicineContaminationInfectious disease (medical specialty)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)PathologyBiologyPolitical scienceLawEcologyDiseaseInfection Control and VentilationClimate Change and Health ImpactsInfection Control in Healthcare