Objective: To assess the possible factors associated with increasing risk of COVID-19 among EMTs. Methods: This study was a case-control study conducted in Tehran, Iran. Case group was consisted of confirmed COVID-19 EMTs based on the results of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and/or lung computed tomography scan. Healthy EMTs were randomly selected as control group. Patients were asked to fill out a checklist including demographic data, data related to the work situation (such as number of missions and type of mask and cloth) and PPE precautions. Results: Sixty-eight patients and 148 healthy persons took part in this study as case and control group, respectively. Having two EMTs involved directly in taking care of patients ( p <0.001) and working with a confirmed case teammate ( p <0.001), considering the precautions such as seal check after wearing the mask ( p =0.015), covering the hair with a medical hat ( p <0.001), not using personal items despite protective clothing ( p <0.001), and avoiding contact with the outer surface of clothing while removing ( p <0.001) had significant difference in two groups. Conclusion: We found that the type and method of use of PPE were correlated with the increasing risk of COVID-19 in EMTs. Also, we found that when two EMTs were involved directly in taking care of the patients, and those who worked with a confirmed case teammate, more frequently affected.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Personal protective equipment, Emergency medical technician, 【초록키워드】 lung, Computed tomography, Iran, Patient, PPE, Precaution, Care, patients, case-control study, Contact, Factor, significant difference, control group, two groups, demographic data, Tehran, transcriptase, precautions, Protective clothing, risk of COVID-19, Randomly, polymerase chain, selected, affected, involved, healthy, conducted, correlated, asked, fill out, 【제목키워드】 Emergency, Factor,