key: cord-0011727-ibnl0uu5
authors: Hughes, Patrick G.; Hughes, Kate E.; Ahmed, Rami A.
title: Does my personal protective equipment really work? A simulation‐based approach
date: 2020-05-26
journal: Med Educ
DOI: 10.1111/medu.14188
sha: 49593e975749a757bbc95d7feeea223a28649ad1
doc_id: 11727
cord_uid: ibnl0uu5

nan

The problem that was addressed was the need for refresher training for personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Reports that many health care workers contracted COVID-19 despite wearing suggested PPE resulted in substantial concerns about the effectiveness of the PPE. 1,2 Staff desired both refresher training with individual feedback of their abilities to don and doff effectively and assurance that if they donned and doffed correctly that their equipment was effective.

In order to detect contamination, we utilised a non-toxic fluorescent solution during the PPE training of health care personnel. To begin, a highlighter refill was placed in a warm water bath for 15 minutes to create a fluorescent solution. This solution is only visible under ultraviolet light.

Health care personnel donned PPE, which included a cap, gown, gloves, eye protection, face shield and N95 mask. In order to conserve PPE, supplies were wiped off and reused for multiple trainings. Once the workers donned their PPE, they went into a room to care for a simulated patient sprayed down with the invisible simulated contagion. Additionally, we added the fluorescent solution to a simulated albuterol nebuliser treatment that was given to the high-fidelity simulator during the scenario (not in a negative pressure room). After completing the simulated case, the staff remained in their PPE and were led into another room.

The room lights were then turned off prior to doffing to allow iden- 

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