Table 1.
Distribution of Noncompliance to PPE Use in Exclusive Care Units for Patients Suspect or Confirmed to COVID-19 in a Teaching Hospital in Brazil, 2020
| Variable | No. | % |
|---|---|---|
| Practices that could have resulted in self and/or environmental contamination | 129/322 | 40 |
| Use of potentially contaminated PPE outside the assistance area | 44 | 34.1 |
| Professional did not use available PPE | 63 | 48.9 |
| Overuse of PPE with risks of exposure to microorganismsa | 7 | 5.4 |
| Inappropriate PPE with risks of exposure to microorganismsb | 12 | 9.3 |
| Inadequate handling of PPEc | 3 | 2.3 |
| Practices that resulted in waste of PPE | 193/322 | 60 |
| Overuse of PPE | 84 | 43.5 |
| Inappropriate and more expensive PPE than indicatedd | 109 | 56.5 |
| Total | 322 |
Note. PPE, personal protective equipment.
a
Surgical mask under FFP2/N95.
b
Gowns had less protection than recommended.
c
Adjusted the mask in the assistance area.
d
An N95/FFP2 mask instead of a surgical mask; gowns had higher protection than recommended.