On the Frontlines: Communication in Crisis

How a Shortage of PPE Impacts More than Health

In times of unbelievable scenarios and adversity driven by a global pandemic, the medical industry continues to innovate and respond to one crisis after another. Shortages of PPE (personal protective equipment), overflowing facilities, limited respirators, ICU capacity, and even staffing shortages are just some of the situations that are wreaking havoc across the nation. Amidst all that, the way thousands of medical professionals are adjusting to communicating is something that could drive change permanently.

No Shortage of PPE Problems in Healthcare

Within hospitals, physicians and nurses are facing shortages in PPE, driving organizations to alter protocol and adapt to what’s available in terms of safety. The N95 respirator shortage continues. In response, and under certain FDA guidance, for less critical situations, half mask ventilation is being used, a common style is called P100. This design, while designed to purify the air and protect against infectious, airborne materials, also constricts the mouth and the ability to hear the voice out of those respirators. This particular type of filtered mask respirator is likely the style that’s going to be used more for the day to day work of nurses and medical support staff. Communication is hampered when people wear half mask ventilation.

In more serious cases, PAPR (powered air-purifying respirators) respirators are being worn by critical care teams in healthcare settings. These respiratory protective devices are intensive by design, engineered to protect industrial and medical professionals from the most detrimental fumes and hazards. When you imagine a setting where the absolute most comprehensive protective device is necessary, this is the go-to style.

The product includes a helmet or hood with a motorized fan that blows air over the head and produces some noise inside the hood. That design minimizes difficulties caused by constricting the mouth or the voice, but because of the noise from the fan and because they have a hood over their face, it makes it difficult to hear and understand each other. These respirators are typically going to be used in regard to the higher-level cases of COVID-19 patient care. So when they have a patient who is coding and requires an intubation team, those medical professionals will be wearing PAPR respirators.

In more serious cases, PAPR (powered air-purifying respirators) respirators are being worn by critical care teams in healthcare settings. These respiratory protective devices are intensive by design, engineered to protect industrial and medical professionals from the most detrimental fumes and hazards. When you imagine a setting where the absolute most comprehensive protective device is necessary, this is the go-to style.

The product includes a helmet or hood with a motorized fan that blows air over the head and produces some noise inside the hood. That design minimizes difficulties caused by constricting the mouth or the voice, but because of the noise from the fan and because they have a hood over their face, it makes it difficult to hear and understand each other. These respirators are typically going to be used in regard to the higher-level cases of COVID-19 patient care. So when they have a patient who is coding and requires an intubation team, those medical professionals will be wearing PAPR respirators.

The Dangers of Miscommunication Between a Care Team

Communication in a hospital can literally translate to the difference between life and death. Clarity and continuity between medical professionals as they navigate new safety standards and adapt to different equipment are compromised each and every day.

For example, for a confirmed COVID-19 patient, the care team offers supportive care including supplemental oxygen, medication, and fluids akin to treating pneumonia or other severe lung conditions. The WHO tracking data show that one in six COVID-19 patients become seriously ill, requiring intensive treatment. The team might be comprised of roles including:

• Respiratory therapist
• Trauma specialist
• Circulating nurse
• Intubation specialist
• Anesthesiologist
• Laboratory personnel

Those who are bedside administering care are likely wearing PAPR respirators. Those who aren’t in direct contact with the patient might be wearing a P100 mask, perhaps it’s a documenting nurse, who's going to be outside of the room and that individual essentially needs to communicate with the nurses inside the room. In this critical scenario, one set of PPE is hindering hearing while the other is limiting speech and the entire team needs to communicate together with 100 percent certainty. You can imagine the outcome if communication is rendered ineffective or even impossible.

What's Working Right Now? 

We know the world will never be the same after this pandemic subsides. Every industry has now realized, in real-time, the gaps that exist between proper communication and required equipment. How to be innovative in the face of shortages and crises. How to simply maintain as the world shifts on its axis. Knowing how medical teams are adjusting to self-protection while facing equipment shortages means those same teams are altering communication practices for both hearing and speaking alike. Product technology is helping bridge the gap in instances where communication is more crucial than ever — like hospitals.

And in these instances in healthcare settings, communication may be conducted between either a cell phone or a two-way radio. Cell phone users may be talking with their teams via some kind of a group chat, like Zoom, or some kind of an app where they can all communicate on their cell phones together. Two-way radios are also ideal communication tools that can vastly enhance comms between individuals and work teams. A variety of accessories are available for cell phones and two-way radios that further enhance the user’s ability to communicate clearly.