Basic Infection Control

Using Personal Protective Equipment

Procedure Guidelines 1. Determine the types of personal protective equipment (PPE) you will need based on the patient s condition, the type of care to be provided, and facility policy. Put on the PPE in the following order: A. Cap B. Gown C. Mask or respirator D. Goggles or face shield E. Gloves 2. Don cap. A. If your hair is long, comb it behind your ears. If needed, secure your hair in place with pins or a rubber band. B. Then place the cap over your head like a hairnet, ensuring that all your hair fits under the cap s edges. 3. Don gown. A. Put on the gown with the opening in the back. Tie it securely at your neck and waist, and if needed, pull the sleeves down to your wrists. B. If the gown is too small and an extra-large gown is not available, use two gowns. To do this, tie the first gown in the front. Then put on the second gown, and tie it in the back.

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Procedure Guidelines 4. Don mask or respirator. A. Don mask.

(1) Place the mask over your nose, mouth, and chin, and fit its flexible nosepiece over the bridge of your nose. (2) Secure the top ties behind your head, keeping them above your ears. Then secure the bottom ties snugly around your neck. (3) To ensure a good fit, adjust the mask as needed. B. Don respirator. (1) Place the mask over your nose, mouth, and chin. (2) Secure it to your head with the elastic loops. (3) Adjust the fit and check it as you breathe. When you inhale, the respirator should collapse. When you exhale, you should notice no leakage around your face. 5. Don goggles or face shield. A. Don goggles. (1) Position goggles comfortably over your eyes, and secure them in place with the earpieces or headband. (2) Check that your vision is clear. (3) Ensure that the goggles fit snugly around your forehead and face. B. Don face shield. (1) Position it over your face. (2) Use the headband to secure it onto your brow. 6. Don gloves. A. Select gloves of the correct type and size. B. After inserting your hands into the gloves, extend the gloves over the cuffs of the gown.

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Procedure Guidelines 7. Remove PPE either in the anteroom or outside the patient s doorway. When it s time to remove PPE, begin with the gloves. Then remove other items in the following order: A. Goggles or face shield B. Gown C. Mask or respirator D. Cap 8. Remove gloves. A. Grasp the outside edge of the first glove near the wrist and peel it away from your hand, turning the glove inside-out. B. Hold it in your opposite gloved hand. C. Slide an ungloved finger inside the wrist of the second glove. Peel the second glove off from the inside, using it to create a bag for both gloves. D. Dispose of properly. 9. Remove goggles or face shield. A. Use your ungloved hands to grasp your goggles by the earpieces (or your face shield by the headband) and lift them away from your face. B. Place in a designated receptacle for reprocessing or disposal. 10. Remove gown.

A. Unfasten the ties on the gown and peel it away from your neck and shoulders. As you remove the gown, do not touch the outside of it. B. Turn the contaminated outside toward the inside. C. Fold or roll it into a bundle and discard it in a biohazard container (if the gown is disposable) or in the isolation laundry (if it is washable). 11. Remove mask or respirator. A. Remove mask.

Mosby items and derived items 2009 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Procedure Guidelines (1) Undo the bottom ties and then the top ties. (2) Holding the mask by the ties, remove it from your face. (3) Discard it in a biohazard container. B. Remove respirator. (1) Lift the bottom elastic over your head. (2) Then lift off the top elastic. (3) Store or dispose of the respirator according to institution policy. 12. Remove cap. A. Grasp outer surface. B. Lift from hair. C. Discard cap in a biohazard container. 13. Immediately after removing PPE, be sure to perform hand hygiene.

Mosby items and derived items 2009 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.