Associations between personal protective equipment and nursing staff stress during the COVID‐19 pandemic. (8th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hoedl, Manuela; Eglseer, Doris; Bauer, Silvia
• Is Part Of: Journal of nursing management. Volume 29:Number 8(2021)
• Page Start: 2374
• Page End: 2382
• Publication Date: 2021-07-08
• Subjects: COVID‐19 -- nurses -- personal protective equipment -- psychological stress; Nursing services -- Administration -- Periodicals; Nursing services -- Business management -- Periodicals; 610.73068
• DOI: 10.1111/jonm.13400
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0966-0429

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: This study gives insights into the association between the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), wearing time of masks and stress among frontline nursing staff during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background: PPE can have physical consequences like headache and pain, which could result in increased nurse stress levels. Methods: A total of 2600 nurses participated in this online survey. The questionnaire is based on literature and includes the perceived level of stress scale. Results: We found no significant association between the use of PPE and stress. Nurses who wore masks for more than 8 h had significant higher stress levels than those who used the masks for a shorter period. Conclusions: The duration of wearing masks is associated with nurse's stress level. Our findings can help nurses to argue a higher frequency of breaks and a maximum duration of mask usage in their organisations. Implications for Nursing Management: We recommend that nursing managers implement practical strategies such as a mask break task force. This task force could promote awareness for mask breaks and recommend and allocate rooms or locations such as balconies for mask breaks.