Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

April 28, 2020

Exposure to a Surrogate Measure of Contamination from Simulated Patients by Emergency Department Personnel Wearing Personal Protective Equipment

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  • The authors ran patient care simulations to assess updated PPE recommendations from WHO and CDC on use of N95 respirators, eye protection, isolation gowns, and gloves during aerosol-generating procedures.  
  • Despite PPE, fluorescent markers were found on the uncovered skin, hair, and shoes of participants. These findings indicate that current recommendations for PPE may not fully prevent exposures in emergency department settings, and clothing that covers all skin may further diminish exposure risk.

Feldman et al. (April 27, 2020). Exposure to a Surrogate Measure of Contamination from Simulated Patients by Emergency Department Personnel Wearing Personal Protective Equipment. JAMA. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.6633