PPE Use During COVID Pandemic
PPE refers to personal protective equipment (PPE) that is worn to reduce exposure to dangers that might result in significant occupational injuries and illnesses. Chemical, radioactive, physical, electrical, mechanical, and other workplace dangers can result in these injuries and diseases.
Safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, hazmat suits, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear, safety harnesses, ear plugs, ear defenders, and respiratory protective equipment are examples of personal protective equipment (RPE). Disposable PPE, such as single-use coveralls, may be given in appropriate settings. Employers have responsibilities when it comes to providing and using personal protective equipment at work.
In healthcare settings, personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to provide a barrier between healthcare personnel and a viral infections from a patient and to decrease the danger of microorganism transmission from healthcare workers to patients (s). PPE may also be worn by the patient’s relatives or visitors, especially if they are giving direct patient care, such as aiding with toileting. When handling contaminated equipment or handling blood, body fluids, secretions, or excretions, gloves is used. When patients require transmission-based measures, gloves should also be used. Increased awareness among healthcare professionals of the potential for gloves to protect against a variety of harmful germs has resulted in an increase in the use of PPE Nitrile Gloves.
On one hand latex gloves are cheap and popular but on the other hand, nitrile gloves are more robust and resistant to punctures and chemicals. Overall, nitrile gloves appear to be the most adaptable choice. It can also be used by those who are allergic to latex. Hence, healthcare professionals not only make important medical decisions but also reflect on PPE supplies that eventually protect them and the patient.
In the United Kingdom, on June 5, 2020, the Secretary of State for Health declared that by June 15, 2020, hospitals should guarantee that all settings are COVID-secure, utilising social distancing, optimum hand hygiene, regular surface cleaning, ventilation, and other necessary measures. As stated, when not otherwise needed, all hospital employees (including clinical and non-clinical jobs) should wear a facemask in all environments that are unable to be delivered as COVID-19 secure; worn to prevent the transmission of infection from the user. 58,000 diverse PPE Suppliers , including care homes, GP practises, hospices, and community care organisations, get critical PPE supplies. We also didn’t have a large-scale domestic PPE manufacturing business to depend on when the crisis hit.
Even though the PPE kits did a great job in protecting humans against the disease, it is somehow also killing the planet. Researchers believe that NHS personnel used over one billion single-use disposable masks last year, resulting in massive volumes of plastic waste and generating a “ethical conundrum” in which “saving lives now has a detrimental impact on the earth,” according to the researchers. As a result, beginning to use reusable PPE, such as these masks, to help the environment could be the best solution to these modern problems. These PPE kits have been antiseptic-treated and may be washed 40 times hence protecting humans and planet both.
