PPE – Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment can help break the chain of infection. Masks/respirators and eye protection prevent coughs, sneezes, and droplets from entering your eyes, nose, and mouth. Gowns or aprons keep your clothing and skin clean to prevent accidentally spreading germs to others. You should wear PPE when there is a potential for exposure of blood or bodily fluids from a client. If a client has symptoms or a confirmed infection, put PPE on before entering their room. Talk with your supervisor to learn which PPE is necessary for each situation.

Skill: Using Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment only works if you put it on and take it off the correct way. These are skills that require practice. See Using Personal Protective Equipment in the Skills Checklists on page 421 for the detailed steps.

Removing Full PPE

Taking off PPE can spread germs if done incorrectly. When you take off your PPE, assume that the outside of all PPE is contaminated. Remove each piece of PPE without touching the outside surfaces. If your hands get contaminated while removing any piece of PPE, immediately clean your hands before continuing. To remove PPE safely, follow these steps:

1. Remove gloves and discard
2. Remove your gown and discard
3. Leave the client’s room
4. Perform hand hygiene
5. Remove face shield/goggles
6. Remove and discard the mask
7. Perform hand hygiene

---

Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette

Practice respiratory hygiene to prevent the spread of pathogens through droplet transmission:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Dispose of the tissue in the nearest waste container.
• If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow instead of your hands.
• Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand rub.

If you are coughing or sneezing frequently, consider wearing a facemask to protect others.