Personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic-AUBMC experience

Abstract

Worldwide healthcare systems have been under very stressful conditions since the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Rapid response services to this pandemic by healthcare providers (HCP) have been very challenging. The high infectivity rate of COVID-19 urged the presence of high level protection to control the transmission of the virus. The American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) has been at the front line of defense in overcoming and mitigating the severity of this pandemic both at the physical and mental levels. In this review, we present the different strategies and principles developed for the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by HCPs globally in responding to the COVID-19 crisis. We summarize the worldwide recommendations and we highlight the protocols and policies adopted by the department of anesthesiology at AUBMC. © 2020, American University of Beirut. All rights reserved.