Covid-19: Appropriate PPE prevents infections in doctors in frontline roles, study shows
BMJ 2020; 369 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2330 (Published 11 June 2020) Cite this as: BMJ 2020;369:m2330Read our latest coverage of the coronavirus pandemic
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Use of PPE against coronavirus disease 2019 by healthcare professionals in Wuhan, China
Provision of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and training does protect doctors treating covid-19 patients from exposure to the infection, a study published in The BMJ has confirmed.1
The study focused on a group of healthcare workers deployed to Wuhan from other regions of China to treat covid-19 patients as the epidemic took hold. All were provided with and trained in the use of PPE, and none developed symptoms of covid-19 or later showed antibodies to the virus.
At the outset of the epidemic in Wuhan little was known about the infection and what PPE was needed to protect against it. As a result many doctors and other healthcare workers were infected, and some died. As cases surged, healthcare workers were drafted in from other regions of China and were provided with PPE and trained in its use.
Researchers from Sun Yat-sen University in China and the University of Birmingham, UK, tracked a group of 116 doctors and 304 nurses deployed to Wuhan for 6-8 weeks from 24 January to 7 April 2020.
The group worked 4-6 hour shifts for an average of 5.4 days a week, and each spent an average of 16.2 hours each week in intensive care units. All were provided with appropriate PPE including protective suits, masks, gloves, goggles, face shields, and gowns, and they were trained in how to use them correctly and how to reduce their exposure to infection when caring for patients. All had direct contact with patients with covid-19 and performed at least one aerosol generating procedure.
Negative tests
During their deployment in Wuhan none of the doctors and nurses reported any covid-19 related symptoms, and when they returned home they all tested negative for covid-19 infection or its antibodies.
“Despite being at high risk of exposure, study participants were appropriately protected and did not contract infection or develop protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2,” the researchers concluded.
“Before a safe and effective vaccine becomes available, healthcare professionals remain susceptible to covid-19,” they added. “Healthcare systems must give priority to the procurement and distribution of personal protective equipment, and provide adequate training to healthcare professionals in its use.”
They pointed out that the study did not look at the minimal level of PPE needed to effectively prevent infection among healthcare professionals, and they said that the findings applied only to frontline clinical staff.
In the UK, doctors have launched judicial review proceedings after the government decided not to open an inquiry into failures to provide adequate PPE for frontline workers.2
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