Characteristics of healthcare personnel who reported concerns related to PPE use during care of COVID-19 patients

• DOI: 10.1017/ash.2022.68
• Publication Date: 2022-05-16T07:06:55Z
• Authors: Nora Chea; Stephanie Tavitian; Cedric Brown; Taniece Eure; Rebecca Alkis; Gregory Blazek; Austin Penna; Joelle Nadle; Linda Frank; Christopher Czaja; Helen Johnston; Devra Barter; Kathleen Angell; Kristen Marshall; James Meek; Monica Brackney; Stacy Carswell; Stepy Thomas; Scott Fridkin; Lucy Wilson; Ashley Fell; Sara Lovett; Sarah Lim; Ruth Lynfield; Ruth SarahShrum; Erin C. Phipps; Marla Sievers; Ghinwa Dumyati; Cate Concannon; Kathryn McCullough; Woods; Sandhya Seshadri; Christopher Myers; Rebecca Pierce; Valerie Ocampo; Judith Guzman-Cot...; Gabriela Escutia; Monika Samper; Sandra Pena; Cullen Adre; Tiffanie Markus; Kathryn Billings; Matthew Groenewold; Ronda Sinkowitz-C...; Shelley Magill; Cheri Grigg; Betsy Miller
• Keywords: Personal Protective Equipment; Pandemic; Demographics; Economic shortage

Background: Healthcare facilities have experienced many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including limited personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies. personnel (HCP) rely on PPE, vaccines, and other infection control measures to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections. We describe PPE concerns reported by HCP who had close contact with patients in workplace tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Method : The CDC collaborated Emerging Infections Program (EIP) sites 10 states conduct surveillance infections HCP. EIP staff interviewed viral tests (ie, cases) collect data demographics, healthcare roles, exposures, use, about their use patient care 14 days before HCP’s test. were qualitatively coded as being related supply (eg, low quality, shortages); extended reuse, lack of fit test); or facility policy guidance). calculated compared percentages cases reporting each concern type initial phase pandemic (April–May 2020), first US peak daily (June–August second (September 2020–January 2021). using mid- P Fisher exact (α = 0.05). Results: Among 1,998 occurring April 2021 patients, 613 (30.7%) ≥1 (Table 1). percentage was higher period than (supply concerns: 12.5% vs 7.5%; 25.5% 18.2%; p Conclusions: Although lower overall after peak, our results highlight importance developing capacity produce distribute times increased demand. difference we observed among selected groups may indicate that access more challenging some, such nonphysicians nursing home These findings underscore need ensure is accessible used correctly whom recommended. Funding: None Disclosures: