Effect of Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for COVID-19Treatment on Blood Culture Contamination: Implication for Optimal PPE Strategies
10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e180
- Author:
Jae Hyeon PARK
1
;
Taek Soo KIM
;
Chan Mi LEE
;
Chang Kyung KANG
;
Wan Beom PARK
;
Nam Joong KIM
;
Pyoeng Gyun CHOE
;
Myoung-don OH
Author Information
1. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Brief Communication
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2023;38(23):e180-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The personal protective equipment (PPE) used to minimize exposure to hazards can hinder healthcare workers from performing sophisticated procedures. We retrospectively reviewed 77,535 blood cultures (202,012 pairs) performed in 28,502 patients from January 2020 to April 2022. The contamination rate of all blood cultures was significantly elevated in the coronavirus disease 2019 ward at 4.68%, compared to intensive care units at 2.56%, emergency rooms at 1.13%, hematology wards at 1.08%, and general wards at 1.07% (All of P < 0.001). This finding implies that wearing PPE might interfere with adherence to the aseptic technique. Therefore, a new PPE policy is needed that considers the balance between protecting healthcare workers and medical practices.
