What is the correct order for donning personal protective equipment (PPE)?
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct order for donning personal protective equipment (PPE) is:
- Hand hygiene (wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer).
- Gown (if required, put on the gown and tie it securely, ensuring full coverage of the torso and arms).
- Mask or respirator (place the mask or respirator over your nose and mouth, securing it tightly to ensure a proper seal).
- Goggles or face shield (put on goggles or a face shield to protect the eyes from potential contamination).
- Gloves (finally, put on gloves, making sure they cover the cuffs of the gown to prevent exposure).
Explanation:
The order of donning PPE is crucial for minimizing contamination and ensuring safety during healthcare procedures, especially when caring for patients with infectious diseases.
- Hand hygiene should always be the first step before putting on PPE to ensure that any surface contaminants on your hands are removed.
- Gown comes next. A gown provides a barrier to protect your body from exposure to harmful substances. It should be put on before other equipment to avoid contaminating yourself when donning the mask or gloves.
- Mask or respirator is essential to protect the respiratory system from airborne contaminants. Wearing it before goggles or gloves ensures that you don’t accidentally contaminate your eyes or hands while adjusting it.
- Goggles or face shield are used for eye protection. Since the eyes can be a route for pathogen entry, it is important to ensure eye protection after donning the mask.
- Gloves are the final PPE item to be worn because they help protect your hands from direct exposure to infectious materials. It is important that the gloves cover the gown’s sleeves to avoid any skin exposure.
By following the correct sequence, the risk of self-contamination is minimized and the effectiveness of each item is maximized.