ABSTRACT

Title: Comparison of Comfort Levels Between Level III Personal Protective Equipment Used in COVID-19 Isolation Wards and SUNS (Surgeons of UNS) at Dr. Moewardi Regional General Hospital, Surakarta

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers to prevent virus transmission. However, prolonged use of PPE often causes discomfort, which can affect medical personnel’s performance. This study aims to compare the comfort levels between conventional Level III PPE used in COVID-19 isolation wards and SUNS (Surgeons of UNS), an innovative protective device developed by Universitas Sebelas Maret.

This research is an observational analytical study with a cross-sectional approach, conducted at Dr. Moewardi Regional General Hospital, Surakarta, from August to September 2020. The study subjects were healthcare workers in COVID-19 wards who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Comfort levels were measured using a questionnaire and physiological parameters such as heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and body temperature. Data were analyzed using an independent T-test or Mann-Whitney test, depending on data distribution.

The results showed that SUNS provided a higher level of comfort compared to conventional Level III PPE. Subjects using SUNS reported fewer complaints regarding heat, tightness, and mobility restrictions. In terms of physiological parameters, SUNS also had a better impact on body balance compared to Level III PPE.

In conclusion, SUNS can serve as a more comfortable, efficient, and sustainable alternative for healthcare workers in handling COVID-19 patients, reducing physiological stress, and improving their performance in isolation environments.

Keywords: Level III PPE, SUNS, comfort, healthcare workers, COVID-19