PMC:7537031 JSONTXT 15 Projects

Real‐world assessment and problems in use of personal protective equipment and its relevance in clinical practice in dermatology in a COVID referral tertiary hospital Abstract Abstract Doctors and healthcare workers (HCW) are at frontline in control of the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID‐19). The virus is transmitted by contact, droplet and airborne transmission hence hand hygiene, social distancing, environmental disinfection and use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) form important components to protect HCWs from cross‐infection. Appropriate use of PPE is of paramount importance not only to reduce the risk of transmission but also to maintain adequate stock for those who are dealing directly with COVID‐19 patients. In this article, we provide the rationale for appropriate use of PPE in the dermatology setting in the current scenario. We have also discussed the scientific evidence for use of each component of protection and the practical problems faced in our COVID referral tertiary hospital.