Review Notes DETAILS

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT – PPE

Personal protective equipment (PPE) as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, is “specialized clothing or equipment, worn by an employee for protection against infectious materials.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issues recommendations for
when and what PPE should be used to prevent exposure to infectious diseases.

PPE used in Healthcare setting consists of:

• Gloves – protect hands
. Head Cover
• Gowns – protect skin and or clothing
• Masks and respirators– protect mouth and nose
. Respirators – protect respiratory tract from airborne infectious agents
• Goggles – protect eyes
• Face shields – protect face, mouth and mouth

The sequence for donning PPE is:

1. Head Cover (first)
2. Gown
3. Mask or respirator
3. Goggles or face shield
4. Shoe Covers
5. Gloves (last)

The sequence for removing PPE

1. Shoe Covers (first)
2. Gloves , 2nd
3. Goggles or face shield , 3rd
4. Gown , 4th
5. Mask or respirator (last) 5th
6. Head Cover , 6th

Wash hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer immediately after removing PPE to prevent cross contamination and nosocomial infections

Personal Protective Equipment that should be worn in the Decontamination area are:

1. Full face protection (face shield or mask with eye goggles)
2. Fluid resistant covering with sleeves.
3. Gloves
4. Shoe coverings

If any work is being done which poses the risk of splash or splatter, the PPE used should include a fluid-resistant face mask and eye protection like goggles