Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour of intermediate and advanced care paramedics regarding personal protective equipment for communicable respiratory disease outbreaks.
Published: 2005
Language: eng
Number of pages: 106
Description: This study evaluated personal protective equipment (PPE) knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour reported in a representative sample of Toronto paramedics, using a newly designed survey instrument. All practicing Level 2 and Advanced Care Paramedics (ACPs) were approached to complete the survey during a mandatory training session. Survey content reflected government directives for PPE use during and since the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in Toronto. During the SARS outbreak, the majority of paramedics said they had  always used most items available at the time. Availability, vision impairment, restriction of movement, and being rushed at the scene were impediments to PPE use. During routine practice, protective eyewear, a face shield, gowns and double gloves were mostly never worn, because paramedics often considered them unnecessary. The N95 respirator and hydrophobic submicron filter were worn most of the time or always. The results suggest mismatch between directives and reported paramedic behaviour, particularly post-SARS.
Notes: Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 44-02, page: 0843.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2005.

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