Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
"Precaution is better than Cure"
Definition (ppe)
It is specialized clothing or equipment worn by a person for protection against infectious agent, body fluid etc. by creating a barrier between the wearer and infectious material
Components
Gloves
Gown/Apron
Mask
Respirators
Goggles
Face shields
Shoes/Shoe covers
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Sequence
cap
shoe covers
gown
mask Respirator
Goggles
Gloves
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Gown
Select appropriate type and size
Opening is in the back
Secure at neck and waist
If gown is too small, use two gowns
- Gown #1 ties in front
- Gown #2 ties in back
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Mask
Place over nose, mouth and chin
Fit flexible nose piece over nose bridge
Secure on head with ties or elastic
Adjust to fit
Use of mask - limits spread of certain respiratory diseases
Mask alone is insufficient to provide the adequate level of protection and other equally relevant measures should be adopted – Hand hygiene
Wearing medical mask when not indicated may cause-
unnecessary cost
procurement burden
create a false sense of security that can lead to neglecting other essential measures such as hand hygiene practices.
Using a mask incorrectly may hamper its effectiveness to reduce the risk of transmission
Use of mask- In community
Mask not required in individuals without respiratory symptoms. They should:
Avoid closed crowded spaces
Maintain distance – at least 1 meter
Practice hand and respiratory hygiene
Refrain from touching face, nose, mouth
Individuals with respiratory symptoms
Wear a medical mask
Seek medical care
Learn mask management
Use of Mask- In home care
Individuals with suspected infection with mild respiratory symptoms
Relatives or caregivers should:
- Practice hand hygiene
- Keep distance from affected individual as much as possible (at least 1 meter)
- Improve airflow in living space by opening windows as much as possible
Use of mask – In healthcare settings
Individuals with respiratory symptoms should:
Wear a medical mask when staying in cohorting areas dedicated to suspected or confirmed cases;
Do not wear a medical mask when isolated in single rooms but cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with disposable paper tissues.
Health care workers should:
Wear a medical mask while providing care to the patient
Use a particulate respirator N95 (NIOSH certified) , FFP2 (EU standard), or equivalent, when performing aerosol generating procedures (tracheal intubation, non-invasive ventilation, tracheotomy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, manual ventilation before intubation, and bronchoscopy.
Mask management
Wear a mask if you are taking care of an infected person who is sneezing & coughing
After putting on the mask
Make sure your mouth & nose are fully covered
Leave no gaps
Once the mask is worn, avoid touching it. If touched, clean hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer or soap & water.
Use a new mask if the old one becomes damp or wet
While discarding the mask
Always remove from behind
Do not touch the front
Discard & clean hands immediately
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particulate respirator
Select a fit tested respirator
Place over nose, mouth and chin
Fit flexible nose piece over nose bridge
Secure on head with elastic
Adjust to fit
Perform a fit check –
- Inhale: Respirator should collapse
- Exhale: Check for leakage around face
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Eye and Face protector
Position goggles over eyes and secure to the head using the ear pieces or headband
Position face shield over face and secure on brow with headband
Adjust to fit comfortably
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Gloves
Wear gloves last
Select correct type and size
Insert hands into gloves
Extend gloves over isolation gown cuffs
Do’s and Don'ts for glove use
Work from “clean to dirty”: Touch clean body sites or surfaces before you touch dirty or heavily contaminated areas
Limit opportunities for “touch contamination” - protect yourself, others, and the environment
- Don’t touch your face or adjust PPE with contaminated gloves
- Don’t touch environmental surfaces except as necessary during patient care
Change gloves
- During use if torn and when heavily soiled (even during use on the same
patient)
- After use on each patient
Discard in appropriate receptacle
- Never wash or reuse disposable glove
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Where to remove PPE
At doorway, before leaving patient room
Remove respirator outside room, after door has been closed*
Ensure that hand hygiene facilities are available at the area where PPE is being removed, e.g., sink or alcohol-based hand rub
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Removing Gloves
Using one gloved hand, grasp the outside of the opposite glove near the wrist
Pull and peel the glove away from the hand
The glove should now be turned inside-out, with the contaminated side now on the inside
Hold the removed glove in the opposite gloved hand
Slide ungloved finger under the wrist of the remaining glove
Peel off from inside, creating a bag for both gloves
Discard
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Removing goggles or face shield
Using ungloved hands, grasp the “clean” ear pieces or head pieces and lift away from face
If goggle or face shield are reusable, place them in a designated receptacle for subsequent reprocessing
Otherwise, discard them in the waste receptacle
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Removing isolation gown
Unfasten ties
Peel gown away from neck and shoulder
Turn contaminated outside toward the inside
Fold or roll into a bundle
Discard
----------Removing a mask
Untie the bottom and then top
Remove from face without touching the outer side of mask
Discard
-------Removing a particulate respirator
Lift the bottom elastic over your head first
Then lift off the top elastic
Discard
precautions
Hand Hygiene
Perform hand hygiene immediately after removing PPE.
If hands become visibly contaminated during PPE removal, wash hands before continuing to remove PPE
Wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub
Ensure that hand hygiene facilities are available at the area where PPE is worn/removed, e.g., sink or alcohol-based rub