Paramedics’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the use of personal protective equipment against COVID-19

Abstract

The risk of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission in the confined mobile ambulance compartment is increased during aerosol-generating procedures and close proximity. Paramedics are encouraged to increase body-surface-isolation by donning additional personal protective equipment (PPE) during patient encounters. This study aimed to better understand paramedics’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to PPE use during the COVID-19 pandemic in the prehospital setting with a focus on mitigating risks associated with infection control. This prospective quantitative study collected descriptive data using a specifically designed data collection tool. The survey data was then cleaned and analyzed with Microsoft Excel® and the latest version of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. One thousand frontline paramedics employed by the Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service () were invited via email to participate in the study. A total of 282 (28.2% of frontline paramedics) paramedics completed the online survey, of which 80.1% completed the mandatory online infection control training program within the last year, and 17.0% between one to two years ago. Approximately 83% of the participants had completed an N95 mask fit test at within the past five years, and 91.5% completed the hand hygiene training. The study found that 98.2% of the paramedics were knowledgeable about COVID-19 and its transmission, while 96.1% agreed that aerosol-generating procedures increased airborne transmission. The paramedics’ attitudes were mainly positive toward the use of PPE to prevent the spread of the virus, which was synchronous with their practice. The sample population demonstrated a strong knowledge of COVID-19 and its transmission. Their overall positive attitudes and good infection control practices were demonstrative of efforts to mitigate risks associated with the spread of the virus.

Use of Personal Protective Equipment in General Practice and Ambulance settings: a rapid review

“…Two primary studies were identified in this rapid review. One prospective quantitative survey study (Gangaram et al, 2022) and one retrospective chart review (McCann-Pineo et al, 2022) are included due to their specific focus on the ambulance or emergency medical services setting.…”

“…Gangaram et al (2022) performed a prospective quantitative survey study, collecting descriptive data from frontline paramedics employed by the Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service in Qatar. One thousand paramedics were invited via email to complete an online survey, with a total response rate of 28.2% (282 paramedics).…”

“…We identified four systematic reviews (Galanis et al, 2021; Keng et al, 2021; Kunstler et al, 2022), one rapid review (Houghton et al, 2020), a retrospective chart review (McCann-Pineo et al 2022) and a prospective quantitative survey study (Gangaram et al 2022).…”

“…Both the retrospective chart review (McCann-Pineo et al 2022) and the prospective survey study (Gangaram et al 2022) took place in an ambulance or emergency response setting.…”

“…Outcome measures were broadly focused on physical adverse outcomes from the use of PPE, but also included barriers and facilitators to the use of PPE in varied healthcare settings.In terms of setting, all five systematic and rapid reviews covered a broad range of health and care settings, all of which included GP and ambulance settings, but not as a specific focus – it was deemed that as these settings were included as part of data collection and analysis that the findings would be generalisable.Both the retrospective chart review (McCann-Pineo et al 2022) and the prospective survey study (Gangaram et al 2022) took place in an ambulance or emergency response setting.…”