Author/Authors :
rancesco Ruben, Giardino Department of Medicine Surgery and Neuroscience – Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit – University of Siena, Italy , Roberto, Cuomo Department of Medicine Surgery and Neuroscience – Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit – University of Siena, Italy , Andrea, Sisti Department of Plastic Surgery - Cleveland Clinic Ohio, USA , Jingjian, Han Jining First People’s Hospital - Jining Medical University – Jining city, People’s Republic of China , Giuseppe, Nisi Department of Medicine Surgery and Neuroscience – Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit – University of Siena, Italy , Luca, Grimaldi Department of Medicine Surgery and Neuroscience – Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit – University of Siena, Italy
Abstract :
Background:The massive use of personal protective equipment is required by the medical and paramedical staff of the COVID-19 dedicated departments. This often causes painful pressure injuries. The aim of this study is to value the use of anesthetic cream and collagen veil masks for the treatment of pain. We also evaluated the possible psychological impact on healthcare workers involved in the emergency, which is currently a hot topic in the worldwide literature. Materials and Methods: We applied lidocaine idrochloride 5% cream and a collagen veil mask respectively before and after each work shift. We evaluated the improvement of pain symptoms through VAS assessments. We used a modified Maslach burnout inventory as well to evalu-ate the psychological impact of our treatments on healthcare workers. Results: A significant reduction of pain was detected within the first 3 days, but this was not significant over the long period (10 days). Otherwise, we saw a significant improvement of the psychological assessment (p<0,05). Conclusions: Parameters such as pain or psychological stress are not objective, but, anyway, our data show a reduction of pain due to continuative PPE wearing and a significant improvement of psychological wellness of healthcare workers from two differ-ent countries, a finding which should not be undervalued by all the health caregivers not directly involved in COVID-19 pandemic. (www.actabiomedica.it)
Keywords :
PPE , COVID19 , Maslach , Pressure injuries
