Personal Protective Equipment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use involves specialized clothing or equipment worn by facility
staff for protection against infectious materials. PPE should be worn when there is a potential for
exposure to blood, body fluids or infectious agents.
staff for protection against infectious materials. PPE should be worn when there is a potential for
exposure to blood, body fluids or infectious agents.
How to use PPE:
Gowns
•Wear a gown to protect skin and clothing during procedures or activities where contact with blood or
body fluids is anticipated.
•Do not wear the same gown for the care of more than one patient
•Remove gown and perform hand hygiene before leaving the patient’s environment (e.g., exam
room)
Removal of gowns:
•Remove in such a way to prevent contamination of clothing or skin
•Turn contaminated outside surface toward the inside
•Roll or fold into a bundle and discard
•Wear a gown to protect skin and clothing during procedures or activities where contact with blood or
body fluids is anticipated.
•Do not wear the same gown for the care of more than one patient
•Remove gown and perform hand hygiene before leaving the patient’s environment (e.g., exam
room)
Removal of gowns:
•Remove in such a way to prevent contamination of clothing or skin
•Turn contaminated outside surface toward the inside
•Roll or fold into a bundle and discard
Facemasks (Procedure or Surgical Masks)
When to wear a facemask:
• When there is potential contact with respiratory secretions and sprays of blood or body fluids
(as defined in Standard Precautions and/or Droplet Precautions)
•When placing a catheter or injecting material into the spinal canal or subdural space (to
protect patients from exposure to infectious agents carried in the mouth or nose of healthcare
personnel)
•May be used in combination with goggles or face shield to protect the mouth, nose and
eyes
• Also should be worn around patients or in patient's room if you are feeling sick or have a cough
Removal of facemask:
•Avoid touching the front of the mask
•Grasp the bottom and the ties/elastic to remove and discard
Goggles, Face Shields
•Wear eye protection for potential splash or spray of blood, respiratory secretions, or other body fluids.
Personal eyeglasses and contact lenses are not considered adequate eye protection
•May use goggles with face masks, or face shield alone, to protect the mouth, nose and eyes
Removal of goggles or face shield:
•Avoid touching the front of the goggles or face shield
•Remove by handling the head band or ear pieces and discard
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•Wear eye protection for potential splash or spray of blood, respiratory secretions, or other body fluids.
Personal eyeglasses and contact lenses are not considered adequate eye protection
•May use goggles with face masks, or face shield alone, to protect the mouth, nose and eyes
Removal of goggles or face shield:
•Avoid touching the front of the goggles or face shield
•Remove by handling the head band or ear pieces and discard
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Recommendations for wearing PPE:
•Always perform hand hygiene before donning PPE
•If wearing a gown, put on the gown first and fasten in back accordingly
•If wearing a facemask or respirator:
o Secure ties or elastic band at the back of the head and/or neck
o Fit flexible band to nose bridge
o Fit snug to face and below chin
•If wearing goggles or face shield, put it on face and adjust to fit
•If wearing gloves in combination with other PPE, put on gloves last
Recommendations for Removing PPE:
•Remove PPE before leaving the exam room or patient environment (except respirators which
should be removed after exiting the room)
•Wear a facemask to perform intrathecal chemotherapy
•Always perform hand hygiene immediately after removing PPE
Source: CDC.gov
•Always perform hand hygiene before donning PPE
•If wearing a gown, put on the gown first and fasten in back accordingly
•If wearing a facemask or respirator:
o Secure ties or elastic band at the back of the head and/or neck
o Fit flexible band to nose bridge
o Fit snug to face and below chin
•If wearing goggles or face shield, put it on face and adjust to fit
•If wearing gloves in combination with other PPE, put on gloves last
Recommendations for Removing PPE:
•Remove PPE before leaving the exam room or patient environment (except respirators which
should be removed after exiting the room)
•Wear a facemask to perform intrathecal chemotherapy
•Always perform hand hygiene immediately after removing PPE
Source: CDC.gov