PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Wells, Helena Jane
AU  - Raithatha, Meera
AU  - Elhag, Sabba
AU  - Turner, James
AU  - Osuri, Pranav
AU  - Kannan, Santhana
TI  - Impact of full personal protective equipment on alertness of healthcare workers: a prospective study
AID  - 10.1136/bmjoq-2021-001551
DP  - 2022 Jan 01
TA  - BMJ Open Quality
PG  - e001551
VI  - 11
IP  - 1
4099  - http://bmjopenquality.bmj.com/content/11/1/e001551.short
4100  - http://bmjopenquality.bmj.com/content/11/1/e001551.full
SO  - BMJ Open Qual2022 Jan 01; 11
AB  - The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in healthcare workers (HCWs) having to wear full personal protective equipment (FPPE) even for routine patient care. When worn for prolonged periods, FPPE has the potential to adversely affect the ability of HCW to carry out their tasks. This study aimed to assess the impact of FPPE on the alertness levels of HCWs in the intensive care unit.Fifty HCWs were tested using psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) and serial sevens test (SST) on two occasions during their shift—once without FPPE and once after they had been in FPPE for at least 2 hours. The median time in FPPE was 2.5 hours. FPPE induced a significant increase in the average reaction time and the number of false responses in PVT. Subjects took longer to complete SST in FPPE compared with without it.This study demonstrates that being in FPPE for as little as 2.5 hours can adversely affect HCW alertness. The findings of this study are relevant in terms of workforce environment considerations as the use of FPPE in certain settings is likely to become a regular feature.Data are available on reasonable request. Data relating to the study not already included in the article ARE available on reasonable request subject to approval of release of the same from the institution.