Abstract
Objective. To collect data about personal protective equipment (PPE) management and to provide indications for improving PPE policies in Europe. design. Descriptive, cross-sectional survey. setting and participants. Data were collected in 48 isolation facilities in 16 European countries nominated by National Health Authorities for the management of highly infectious diseases (HIDs). methods. Data were collected through standardized checklists at on-site visits during February-November 2009. Indications for adequate PPE policies were developed on the basis of a literature review, partners' expert opinions, and the collected data. results. All facilities have procedures for the selection of PPE in case of HID, and 44 have procedures for the removal of PPE. In 40 facilities, different levels of PPE are used according to a risk assessment process, and in 8 facilities, high-level PPE (eg, positive-pressure complete suits or Trexler units) is always used. A fit test is performed at 25 of the 40 facilities at which it is applicable, a seal check is recommended at 25, and both procedures are used at 17. Strategies for promoting and monitoring the correct use of PPE are available at 42 facilities. In case of a sudden increase in demand, 44 facilities have procedures for rapid supply of PPE, whereas 14 facilities have procedures for decontamination and reuse of some PPE. conclusions. Most isolation facilities devote an acceptable level of attention to PPE selection and removal, strategies for the promotion of the correct use of PPE, and ensuring adequate supplies of PPE. Fit test and seal check procedures are still not widely practiced. Moreover, policies vary widely between and within European countries, and the development of common practice procedures is advisable.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1008-1016 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2012 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Microbiology (medical)
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Cite this
Personal protective equipment management and policies : European network for highly infectious diseases data from 48 isolation facilities in 16 European countries. / De Iaco, Giuseppina; Puro, Vincenzo; Fusco, Francesco Maria; Schilling, Stefan; Maltezou, Helena C.; Brouqui, Philippe; Gottschalk, René; Bannister, Barbara; Brodt, Hans Reinhard; Siikamaki, Heli; Perronne, Christian; Brantster, Arne Broch; Fjellet, Anne Lise; Ippolito, Giuseppe.
In: Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Vol. 33, No. 10, 10.2012, p. 1008-1016.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Personal protective equipment management and policies
T2 - European network for highly infectious diseases data from 48 isolation facilities in 16 European countries
AU - De Iaco, Giuseppina
AU - Puro, Vincenzo
AU - Fusco, Francesco Maria
AU - Schilling, Stefan
AU - Maltezou, Helena C.
AU - Brouqui, Philippe
AU - Gottschalk, René
AU - Bannister, Barbara
AU - Brodt, Hans Reinhard
AU - Siikamaki, Heli
AU - Perronne, Christian
AU - Brantster, Arne Broch
AU - Fjellet, Anne Lise
AU - Ippolito, Giuseppe
PY - 2012/10
Y1 - 2012/10
N2 - Objective. To collect data about personal protective equipment (PPE) management and to provide indications for improving PPE policies in Europe. design. Descriptive, cross-sectional survey. setting and participants. Data were collected in 48 isolation facilities in 16 European countries nominated by National Health Authorities for the management of highly infectious diseases (HIDs). methods. Data were collected through standardized checklists at on-site visits during February-November 2009. Indications for adequate PPE policies were developed on the basis of a literature review, partners' expert opinions, and the collected data. results. All facilities have procedures for the selection of PPE in case of HID, and 44 have procedures for the removal of PPE. In 40 facilities, different levels of PPE are used according to a risk assessment process, and in 8 facilities, high-level PPE (eg, positive-pressure complete suits or Trexler units) is always used. A fit test is performed at 25 of the 40 facilities at which it is applicable, a seal check is recommended at 25, and both procedures are used at 17. Strategies for promoting and monitoring the correct use of PPE are available at 42 facilities. In case of a sudden increase in demand, 44 facilities have procedures for rapid supply of PPE, whereas 14 facilities have procedures for decontamination and reuse of some PPE. conclusions. Most isolation facilities devote an acceptable level of attention to PPE selection and removal, strategies for the promotion of the correct use of PPE, and ensuring adequate supplies of PPE. Fit test and seal check procedures are still not widely practiced. Moreover, policies vary widely between and within European countries, and the development of common practice procedures is advisable.
AB - Objective. To collect data about personal protective equipment (PPE) management and to provide indications for improving PPE policies in Europe. design. Descriptive, cross-sectional survey. setting and participants. Data were collected in 48 isolation facilities in 16 European countries nominated by National Health Authorities for the management of highly infectious diseases (HIDs). methods. Data were collected through standardized checklists at on-site visits during February-November 2009. Indications for adequate PPE policies were developed on the basis of a literature review, partners' expert opinions, and the collected data. results. All facilities have procedures for the selection of PPE in case of HID, and 44 have procedures for the removal of PPE. In 40 facilities, different levels of PPE are used according to a risk assessment process, and in 8 facilities, high-level PPE (eg, positive-pressure complete suits or Trexler units) is always used. A fit test is performed at 25 of the 40 facilities at which it is applicable, a seal check is recommended at 25, and both procedures are used at 17. Strategies for promoting and monitoring the correct use of PPE are available at 42 facilities. In case of a sudden increase in demand, 44 facilities have procedures for rapid supply of PPE, whereas 14 facilities have procedures for decontamination and reuse of some PPE. conclusions. Most isolation facilities devote an acceptable level of attention to PPE selection and removal, strategies for the promotion of the correct use of PPE, and ensuring adequate supplies of PPE. Fit test and seal check procedures are still not widely practiced. Moreover, policies vary widely between and within European countries, and the development of common practice procedures is advisable.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84866161665&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1086/667729
DO - 10.1086/667729
M3 - Article
C2 - 22961020
AN - SCOPUS:84866161665
VL - 33
SP - 1008
EP - 1016
JO - Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
JF - Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
SN - 0899-823X
IS - 10
ER -