Perceived Benefits of the Use and Risks of Nonuse of Protective Eyewear Compared to Other Personal Protective Equipment Among Anesthesia Providers in a Western New York Hospital Setting

Abstract

Anesthesia providers are at risk for contracting infectious diseases through unintended bodily fluid exposures. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves, gowns, masks, and protective eyewear vary considerably with suboptimal compliance among healthcare staff. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to examine the perceived benefits of the use and risks of non-use of protective eyewear as compared to other forms of PPE among anesthesia providers including Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Anesthesiologists, and Anesthesia Residents. The Health Belief Model guided the project as the theoretical framework. Project objectives were to 1) identify the barriers and facilitators to intraoperative PPE use among anesthesia providers; 2) compare and contrast types of intraoperative PPE utilized by anesthesia providers; 3) examine accidental exposure history resulting from PPE non-use or suboptimal compliance among anesthesia providers; and 4) develop recommended guidelines for intraoperative PPE use for anesthesia providers. Convenience sampling and a survey with open-ended questions were utilized to collect data. Analysis through ANOVA compared and contrasted between types of PPE to determine deficits and correlation tests (Pearson and Chi-Square) determined significance of relationships when compared to variables (demographic and exposure history). Project findings guided the development of an in-service for anesthesia providers overviewing best practice recommendations for PPE use and steps to promote individual confidence to execute protective behaviors. University at Buffalo, Institutional Review Board approval was granted prior to project implementation.