SUBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF MEDICAL MASK OPERATING CONDITIONS BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Specialists of the republican unitary enterprise "Scientific and Practical Centre of Hygiene" have developed a questionnaire that allows medical workers of healthcare organizations of outpatient and inpatient profile to assess the body’s state during the operation of medical masks in a favorable and unfavorable epidemic situation. 270 medical workers were interviewed, of which physicians – 24%, middle medical staff – 60%, junior medical staff – 16%. The survey showed that the operation time of medical devices for respiratory tract protection in an unfavorable epidemic situation exceeds than in a favorable epidemic situation both in outpatient and polyclinic healthcare organizations and in inpatient healthcare organizations. Increasing operation time of medical devices for respiratory tract protection during one work shift is accompanied by increasing number of symptoms of the fatigue process and their severity. In this case, the nature of these symptoms is different for medical workers of various health care organizations.