Infection control, hand hygiene practice and PPE use among phoniatricians and ENT specialists during the COVID-19 pandemic, a UEP survey

Abstract

Abstract Background Caring for our patients while taking care of our own safety as well as theirs is a major concern during the current pandemic. Therefore, many societies developed guidance documents to educate clinicians about the required precautions. This study aims to assess personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, hand hygiene practice and infection control training among phoniatricians and otolaryngologists during the pandemic. An online survey was administered during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020. Data collected included PPE availability, infection control training, adopted infection control precautions, hand hygiene practice, and use of different PPE elements as well as adherence to its use during potential aerosol generating procedures. Results Based on their country of residences, eligible 154 participants were grouped into 4 groups and their responses were compared. Conclusion Following the suggested recommendations, while adequate for some precautions, was still not satisfactory. Certain defects that are specific to particular groups had also been identified.

Keywords

• Phoniatricians
• Otolaryngologists
• Infection control
• Hand hygiene
• PPE
• COVID-19