Personal protective equipment for COVID‐19 among healthcare workers in an emergency department: an exploratory survey of workload, thermal discomfort, and symptoms of heat strain

OBJECTIVES: To examine workload, thermal discomfort, and heat-related symptoms among healthcare workers (HCWs) in an Australian emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed among HCWs in an emergency department at a metropolitan hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Respondents provided demographic information including their self-reported age, sex, height, weight, role (e.g., doctor, nurse), and whether they wore PPE during their shift, rated as either Full PPE, Partial PPE, or usual uniform or scrubs. The workload of HCWs was assessed with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's task load index (NASA-TLX). Thermal discomfort was evaluated using scales from the International Organisation for Standardisation. Responders rated their subjective heat illness using the Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire (ESQ-SHI). RESULTS: Fifty-nine HCWs completed the survey (27 male, 31 female). Overall workload from the NASA-TLX was 64.6 (IQR: 56.5-73.3) for doctors, 72.5 (IQR: 63.3-83.3) for nurses, and 66.7 (IQR: 58.3-74.17) for other staff, representing moderate to high ratings. Eighty-one percent reported thermal sensation to be slightly warm, warm, or hot, and 88% reported being uncomfortable, ranging from slightly to extremely. Ninety-seven percent reported at least one heat-strain symptom. More than 50% reported light-headedness or headache and approximately 30% reported feeling dizzy, faint, or weak. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency department HCWs experience thermal discomfort when wearing PPE. Combined with their workloads, HCWs experienced symptoms related to heat strain. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to managing heat strain among HCWs when wearing PPE in an Emergency Department. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.