Personal Protection Equipment and Emergency Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

Abstract

Ab s t r Ac t Introduction: In December 2019, in Wuhan, China, a new viral disease, COVID-19, was diagnosed, and in January 2020, the first case was diagnosed in Spain. In April, Spain had reported more than 200,000 cases, 38,000 of which were health workers, representing more than 16% of the volume of contagion in the general population. The objective of our study was to determine the availability, characteristics of use, and the need for improvisation of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. Materials and methods: An online, anonymous, prospective survey was carried out from April 2 to 15 by an e-mail invitation to 562 of the Trauma and Emergency Surgery sections of the Spanish Association of Surgeons. The survey collected demographic data, the region of clinical practice, patterns of PPE use in emergency surgeries, and the improvisation of equipment. Results: Total 58 health workers from 12 communities completed the survey, 95% surgeons. Total 28% received training with PPE during the pandemic, and 44% rated it as insufficient. The PPE used in surgery were double glove (74%), face shield (72%), surgical glasses (67%), waterproof gown (67%), and boot covers (32%). Lack of N95/FPP2/3 was reported by 82% and other elements of PPE by 68%. More than half of the respondents (51%) improvised PPE. Conclusion: The results reflect a low degree of training on PPE use before and during the first wave of the pandemic, the lack of PPE, especially masks, and the need to use nonapproved material as a protection mechanism.