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Use of personal protective equipment in Canadian pediatric emergency departments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2015

Sarah M. Reid ,
Ken J. Farion ,
Kathryn N. Suh ,
Tobey Audcent ,
Nicholas J. Barrowman  and
Amy C. Plint
Sarah M. Reid*
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
Ken J. Farion
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
Kathryn N. Suh
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
Tobey Audcent
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
Nicholas J. Barrowman
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON Clinical Research Unit of Ottawa, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON
Amy C. Plint
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
*
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1; [email protected]

Abstract

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Objective:

Numerous barriers to maintaining infection control practices through the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) exist in the emergency department (ED). This study examined the knowledge, self-reported behaviours, and barriers to compliance with infection control practices and the use of PPE in Canadian pediatric EDs.

Methods:

A self-administered survey instrument consisting of 21 questions was developed and piloted for this study. The survey was mailed to all individuals listed in the Pediatric Emergency Research Canada database of physicians practicing pediatric emergency medicine in Canada.

Results:

A total of 186 physicians were surveyed, and 123 (66%) participated. Twenty-two percent of participants reported that they had never received PPE training and 32% had not been trained in the previous 2 years. Fifty-three percent reported being very or somewhat comfortable with their knowledge of transmission-based isolation practices. Participants were correct on a mean of 4.9 of 11 knowledge-based questions (SD 1.7). For scenarios assessing self-reported use of PPE, participants selected answers that reflected PPE use in accordance with national infection control standards in a mean of 1.0 of 6 scenarios (SD 1.0). Participants reported that they would be more likely to use PPE if patients were clearly identified prior to physician assessment, equipment was accessible, and PPE use was made a priority in their ED.

Conclusions:

Knowledge and self-reported adherence to recommended infection control practices among Canadian pediatric emergency physicians is suboptimal. Early identification of patients requiring PPE, convenient access to PPE, and improved education regarding isolation and PPE practices may improve adherence.

Keywords

emergency medicinepediatricpersonal protective equipment
Type
Original Research • Recherche originale
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , March 2011 , pp. 71 - 78
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2011

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