Wearing PPEs for long hours draining, says doctor

“It gets extremely sweaty in the overalls, the face shields get foggy and we need to be extremely careful while cleaning them for a better view," said Dr Anusha, MD Anesthesiologist and Intensive Care

Hyderabad: Face masks and shields have become integral parts of our lives today. But ever thought about doctors, the real heroes of the pandemic, who have to wear Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for long hours while on duty?

Talking us through the difficulties of working long hours in PPEs, Dr Anusha, MD Anesthesiologist and Intensive Care, tells us how putting on the kit makes one extremely sweaty even in the coldest of spaces in hospitals.

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“It gets extremely sweaty in the overalls, the face shields get foggy and we need to be extremely careful while cleaning them for a better view. As we often handle patients who are put on ventilators, the risk of exposure is high while treating them,” says Dr Anusha, adding that their work gets extremely hectic after a point, after which they do not have time to think how uncomfortable they are being covered in plastic.

On being asked about how working in plastic overalls is different from working in scrubs, she says that one gets dehydrated so quickly that the body gets tired in about four to five hours.

“We are used to working long hours, but with the overalls, the body gets tired very quickly as we get dehydrated due to extreme heat. That also restricts us from being as active. However, we push ourselves and make sure the patient gets the required treatment,” says Anusha.

Adding that it also affects them mentally, while taking a toll on them physically, she says that it is ultimately the wellbeing of patients that drives doctors to go the extra mile in the pandemic situation.

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