Guidance for the Selection and

Use of Personal Protective

Equipment (PPE) in Healthcare
Settings

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings:

Program Goal
Improve personnel safety in the
healthcare environment through
appropriate use of PPE.

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

The goal of this program is to improve personnel safety in the healthcare

environment through appropriate use of PPE.

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings:

Program Objectives
Provide information on the selection and use
of PPE in healthcare settings
Practice how to safely don and remove PPE

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

The objectives of this program are to provide information on the selection and use
of PPE in healthcare settings and to allow time for participants to practice the
correct way to don and remove PPE.

Personal Protective Equipment

Definition
specialized clothing or equipment worn by an
employee for protection against infectious
materials (OSHA)

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, as defined by the Occupational Safety and

Health Administration, or OSHA, is specialized clothing or equipment, worn by an
employee for protection against infectious materials.

Regulations and
Recommendations for PPE
OSHA issues workplace health and safety
regulations. Regarding PPE, employers must:
Provide appropriate PPE for employees
Ensure that PPE is disposed or reusable PPE is cleaned,
laundered, repaired and stored after use

OSHA also specifies circumstances for which PPE is

indicated
CDC recommends when, what and how to use PPE
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

OSHA issues regulations for workplace health and safety. These regulations require
use of PPE in healthcare settings to protect healthcare personnel from exposure to
bloodborne pathogens and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, under OSHAs
General Duty Clause PPE is required for any potential infectious disease exposure.
Employers must provide their employees with appropriate PPE and ensure that PPE
is disposed or, if reusable, that it is properly cleaned or laundered, repaired and
stored after use.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issues recommendations for
when and what PPE should be used to prevent exposure to infectious diseases. This
presentation will cover those recommendations, beginning with the hierarchy of
safety and health controls.

Hierarchy of Safety and Health

Controls
Training and administrative controls
Engineering controls
Work practice controls
Personal protective equipment

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

The protection of healthcare personnel from infectious disease exposures in the

workplace requires a combination of controls, one of which is the use of PPE. It is
important to recognize that your protection as a healthcare worker also involves
other prevention strategies. There are four major components to healthcare worker
safety programs. First are training, such as youre receiving today, and
administrative controls, like isolation policies and procedures, and procedures for
recognizing patients with a communicable disease before they expose workers.
Second are engineering controls like negative pressure rooms for patients with
airborne diseases such as TB; third are work practice controls such as not recapping
needles, and finally personal protective equipment . While PPE is last in the
hierarchy of prevention, it is very important for protecting healthcare workers from
disease transmission.

Types of PPE Used in

Healthcare Settings
Gloves protect hands
Gowns/aprons protect skin and/or clothing
Masks and respirators protect mouth/nose
Respirators protect respiratory tract from airborne
infectious agents

Goggles protect eyes

Face shields protect face, mouth, nose, and eyes
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

All of the PPE listed here prevent contact with the infectious agent, or body fluid
that may contain the infectious agent, by creating a barrier between the worker and
the infectious material. Gloves, protect the hands, gowns or aprons protect the skin
and/or clothing, masks and respirators protect the mouth and nose, goggles protect
the eyes, and face shields protect the entire face.
The respirator, has been designed to also protect the respiratory tract from airborne
transmission of infectious agents. Well discuss this in more detail later.

Factors Influencing PPE Selection

Type of exposure anticipated
Splash/spray versus touch
Category of isolation precautions

Durability and appropriateness for the task

Fit

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

When you are selecting PPE, consider three key things.

First is the type of anticipated exposure. This is determined by the type of
anticipated exposure, such as touch, splashes or sprays, or large volumes of blood or
body fluids that might penetrate the clothing. PPE selection, in particular the
combination of PPE, also is determined by the category of isolation precautions a
patient is on.
Second, and very much linked to the first, is the durability and appropriateness of
the PPE for the task. This will affect, for example, whether a gown or apron is
selected for PPE, or, if a gown is selected, whether it needs to be fluid resistant,
fluid proof, or neither.
Third is fit. (optional question) How many of you have seen someone trying to
work in PPE that is too small or large? PPE must fit the individual user, and it is up
to the employer to ensure that all PPE are available in sizes appropriate for the
workforce that must be protected.
(Segue to next slide) With this as background, lets now discuss how to select and
use specific PPE. After that well talk about which PPE is recommended for
Standard Precautions and the various Isolation Precaution categories.

Gloves
Purpose patient care, environmental
services, other
Glove material vinyl, latex, nitrile, other
Sterile or nonsterile
One or two pair
Single use or reusable
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Gloves are the most common type of PPE used in healthcare settings. As you can
see here, there are several things to consider when selecting the right glove for a
specified purpose.

Gloves
Purpose patient care, environmental
services, other
Glove material vinyl, latex, nitrile, other
Sterile or non-sterile
One or two pair
Single use or reusable
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Most patient care activities require the use of a single pair of nonsterile gloves made
of either latex, nitrile, or vinyl. However, because of allergy concerns, some
facilities have eliminated or limited latex products, including gloves, and now use
gloves made of nitrile or other material. Vinyl gloves are also frequently available
and work well if there is limited patient contact. However, some gloves do not
provide a snug fit on the hand, especially around the wrist, and therefore should not
be used if extensive contact is likely.
Gloves should fit the users hands comfortably they should not be too loose or too
tight. They also should not tear or damage easily. Gloves are sometimes worn for
several hours and need to stand up to the task.
Who uses the other glove options? Sterile surgical gloves are worn by surgeons and
other healthcare personnel who perform invasive patient procedures. During some
surgical procedures, two pair of gloves may be worn. Environmental services
personnel often wear reusable heavy duty gloves made of latex or nitrile to work
with caustic disinfectants when cleaning environmental surfaces. However, they
sometimes use patient care gloves too.

10

Dos and Donts of Glove Use

Work from clean to dirty
Limit opportunities for touch contamination protect yourself, others, and the environment
Dont touch your face or adjust PPE with
contaminated gloves
Dont touch environmental surfaces except as
necessary during patient care
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Gloves protect you against contact with infectious materials. However, once
contaminated, gloves can become a means for spreading infectious materials to
yourself, other patients or environmental surfaces. Therefore, the way YOU use
gloves can influence the risk of disease transmission in your healthcare setting.
These are the most important dos and don'ts of glove use.
Work from clean to dirty. This is a basic principle of infection control. In this
instance it refers to touching clean body sites or surfaces before you touch dirty or
heavily contaminated areas.
Limit opportunities for touch contamination - protect yourself, others and
environmental surfaces. How many times have you seen someone adjust their
glasses, rub their nose or touch their face with gloves that have been in contact with
a patient? This is one example of touch contamination that can potentially expose
oneself to infectious agents. Think about environmental surfaces too and avoid
unnecessarily touching them with contaminated gloves. Surfaces such as light
switches, door and cabinet knobs can become contaminated if touched by soiled
gloves.

11

Dos and Donts of Glove Use

(contd)
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 gloves

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Change gloves as needed. If gloves become torn or heavily soiled and additional
patient care tasks must be performed, then change the gloves before starting the next
task. Always change gloves after use on each patient, and discard them in the
nearest appropriate receptacle. Patient care gloves should never be washed and
used again. Washing gloves does not necessarily make them safe for reuse; it may
not be possible to eliminate all microorganisms and washing can make the gloves
more prone to tearing or leaking.

12

Gowns or Aprons
Purpose of use
Material
Natural or man-made
Reusable or disposable
Resistance to fluid penetration

Clean or sterile
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

There are three factors that influence the selection of a gown or apron as PPE. First
is the purpose of use. Isolation gowns are generally the preferred PPE for clothing
but aprons occasionally are used where limited contamination is anticipated. If
contamination of the arms can be anticipated, a gown should be selected. Gowns
should fully cover the torso, fit comfortably over the body, and have long sleeves
that fit snuggly at the wrist.
Second are the material properties of the gown. Isolation gowns are made either of
cotton or a spun synthetic material that dictate whether they can be laundered and
reused or must be disposed. Cotton and spun synthetic isolation gowns vary in their
degree of fluid resistance, another factor that must be considered in the selection of
this garb. If fluid penetration is likely, a fluid resistant gown should be used.
The last factor concerns patient risks and whether a clean, rather than sterile gown,
can be used. Clean gowns are generally used for isolation. Sterile gowns are only
necessary for performing invasive procedures, such as inserting a central line. In
this case, a sterile gown would serve purposes of patient and healthcare worker
protection.

13

Face Protection
Masks protect nose and mouth
Should fully cover nose and mouth and prevent
fluid penetration

Goggles protect eyes

Should fit snuggly over and around eyes
Personal glasses not a substitute for goggles
Antifog feature improves clarity
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

A combination of PPE types is available to protect all or parts of the face from
contact with potentially infectious material. The selection of facial PPE is
determined by the isolation precautions required for the patient and/or the nature of
the patient contact. This will be discussed later.
Masks should fully cover the nose and mouth and prevent fluid penetration. Masks
should fit snuggly over the nose and mouth. For this reason, masks that have a
flexible nose piece and can be secured to the head with string ties or elastic are
preferable.
Goggles provide barrier protection for the eyes; personal prescription lenses do not
provide optimal eye protection and should not be used as a substitute for goggles.
Goggles should fit snuggly over and around the eyes or personal prescription lenses.
Goggles with antifog features will help maintain clarity of vision.

14

Face Protection
Face shields protect face, nose, mouth, and
eyes
Should cover forehead, extend below chin and wrap
around side of face

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

When skin protection, in addition to mouth, nose, and eye protection, is needed or
desired, for example, when irrigating a wound or suctioning copious secretions, a
face shield can be used as a substitute to wearing a mask or goggles. The face shield
should cover the forehead, extend below the chin, and wrap around the side of the
face.

15

Respiratory Protection
Purpose protect from inhalation of
infectious aerosols (e.g., Mycobacterium
tuberculosis)
PPE types for respiratory protection
Particulate respirators
Half- or full-face elastomeric respirators
Powered air purifying respirators (PAPR)
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

PPE also is used to protect healthcare workers from hazardous or infectious

aerosols, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Respirators that filter the air before
it is inhaled should be used for respiratory protection.
The most commonly used respirators in healthcare settings are the N95, N99, or
N100 particulate respirators. The device has a sub-micron filter capable of
excluding particles that are less than 5 microns in diameter.
Respirators are approved by the CDCs National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health.
Like other PPE, the selection of a respirator type must consider the nature of the
exposure and risk involved. For example, N95 particulate respirators might be worn
by personnel entering the room of a patient with infectious tuberculosis. However,
if a bronchoscopy is performed on the patient, the healthcare provider might wear a
higher level of respiratory protection, such as a powered air-purifying respirator or
PAPR.

16

Elements of a Respiratory
Protection Program
Medical evaluation
Fit testing
Training
Fit checking before use

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Prior to your using a respirator, your employer is required to have you medically
evaluated to determine that it is safe for you to wear a respirator, to fit test you for
the appropriate respirator size and type, and to train you on how and when to use a
respirator. YOU are responsible for fit checking your respirator before use to make
sure it has a proper seal.

17

For additional information on

respirators.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/respirators/
respsars.html
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/99-143.html
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/respirators

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

These websites can provide you with the most up-to-date information on respirators.

18

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings:

How to Safely Don, Use, and
Remove PPE

This next segment will address how to safely don, use, and remove PPE.

NOTE TO TRAINER: Consider having a participant demonstrate donning and

removing PPE as you go through this section.

19

Key Points About PPE

Don before contact with the patient, generally
before entering the room
Use carefully dont spread contamination
Remove and discard carefully, either at the
doorway or immediately outside patient room;
remove respirator outside room
Immediately perform hand hygiene
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

There are four key points to remember about PPE use. First, don it before you have
any contact with the patient, generally before entering the room. Once you have
PPE on, use it carefully to prevent spreading contamination. When you have
completed your tasks, remove the PPE carefully and discard it in the receptacles
provided. Then immediately perform hand hygiene before going on to the next
patient.

20

Sequence* for Donning PPE

Gown first
Mask or respirator
Goggles or face shield
Gloves
*Combination of PPE will affect sequence be practical
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

The gown should be donned first. The mask or respirator should be put on next and
properly adjusted to fit; remember to fit check the respirator. The goggles or face
shield should be donned next and the gloves are donned last. Keep in mind, the
combination of PPE used, and therefore the sequence for donning, will be
determined by the precautions that need to be taken.

21

How to Don a 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
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

To don a gown, first select the appropriate type for the task and the right size for
you. The opening of the gown should be in the back; secure the gown at the neck
and waist. If the gown is too small to fully cover your torso, use two gowns. Put on
the first gown with the opening in front and the second gown over the first with the
opening in the back.

22

How to Don a Mask

Place over nose, mouth and chin
Fit flexible nose piece over nose bridge
Secure on head with ties or elastic
Adjust to fit

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Some masks are fastened with ties, others with elastic. If the mask has ties, place the
mask over your mouth, nose and chin. Fit the flexible nose piece to the form of
your nose bridge; tie the upper set at the back of your head and the lower set at the
base of your neck.

If a mask has elastic head bands, separate the two bands, hold the mask in one hand
and the bands in the other. Place and hold the mask over your nose, mouth, and
chin, then stretch the bands over your head and secure them comfortably as shown;
one band on the upper back of your head, the other below the ears at the base of the
neck.

Adjust the mask to fit. Remember, you dont want to be touching it during use so
take the few seconds needed to make sure it is secure on your head and fits snuggly
around your face so there are no gaps.

23

How to Don a 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

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

The technique for donning a particulate respirator, such as an N95, N99 or N100, is
similar to putting on a pre-formed mask with elastic head bands. Key differences,
however, are 1) the need to first select a respirator for which you have been fit
tested and 2) fit checking the device, as you have been instructed, before entering an
area where there may be airborne infectious disease. Be sure to follow the
manufacturers instructions for donning the device. In some instances, the
manufacturers instructions may differ slightly from this presentation.
You may also be asked to wear an elastomeric or powered air purifying respirator,
or PAPR. Guidance on how to use these devices is not included in this presentation.
You will need instruction locally to properly use these devices.

24

How to Don Eye and Face

Protection
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
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

If eye protection is needed, either goggles or a face shield should be worn. Position
either device over the face and/or eyes and secure to head using the attached ear
pieces or head band. Adjust to fit comfortably. Goggles should feel snug but not
tight.

25

How to Don Gloves

Don gloves last
Select correct type and size
Insert hands into gloves
Extend gloves over isolation gown cuffs

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

The last item of PPE to be donned is a pair of gloves. Be sure to select the type of
glove needed for the task in the size that best fits you. Insert each hand into the
appropriate glove and adjust as needed for comfort and dexterity. If you are
wearing an isolation gown, tuck the gown cuffs securely under each glove. This
provides a continuous barrier protection for your skin.

26

How to Safely Use PPE

Keep gloved hands away from face
Avoid touching or adjusting other PPE
Remove gloves if they become torn; perform
hand hygiene before donning new gloves
Limit surfaces and items touched

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

In addition to wearing PPE, you should also use safe work practices. Avoid
contaminating yourself by keeping your hands away from your face and not
touching or adjusting PPE. Also, remove your gloves if they become torn and
perform hand hygiene before putting on a new pair of gloves. You should also
avoid spreading contamination by limiting surfaces and items touched with
contaminated gloves.

27

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings:

How to Safely Remove PPE

Weve talked about donning and using PPE. Now well discuss how to safely
remove PPE to protect you, your colleagues, and patients from exposure to
contaminated materials.

28

Contaminated and Clean

Areas of PPE
Contaminated outside front
Areas of PPE that have or are likely to have been in
contact with body sites, materials, or environmental
surfaces where the infectious organism may reside

Clean inside, outside back, ties on head

and back
Areas of PPE that are not likely to have been in
contact with the infectious organism
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

To remove PEP safely, you must first be able to identify what sites are considered
clean and what are contaminated. In general, the outside front and sleeves of
the isolation gown and outside front of the goggles, mask, respirator and face shield
are considered contaminated, regardless of whether there is visible soil. Also, the
outside of the gloves are contaminated.

The areas that are considered clean are the parts that will be touched when
removing PPE. These include inside the gloves; inside and back of the gown,
including the ties; and the ties, elastic, or ear pieces of the mask, goggles and face
shield.

29

Sequence for Removing PPE

Gloves
Face shield or goggles
Gown
Mask or respirator

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

The sequence for removing PPE is intended to limit opportunities for selfcontamination. The gloves are considered the most contaminated pieces of PPE and
are therefore removed first. The face shield or goggles are next because they are
more cumbersome and would interfere with removal of other PPE. The gown is
third in the sequence, followed by the mask or respirator.

30

Where to Remove PPE

At doorway, before leaving patient room or in
anteroom*
Remove respirator outside room, after door
has been closed*
* Ensure that hand hygiene facilities are available at the point
needed, e.g., sink or alcohol-based hand rub

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

The location for removing PPE will depend on the amount and type of PPE worn
and the category of isolation a patient is on, if applicable. If only gloves are worn
as PPE, it is safe to remove and discard them in the patient room. When a gown or
full PPE is worn, PPE should be removed at the doorway or in an anteroom.
Respirators should always be removed outside the patient room, after the door is
closed. Hand hygiene should be performed after all PPE is removed.

31

How to Remove Gloves (1)

Grasp outside edge near
wrist
Peel away from hand,
turning glove inside-out
Hold in opposite gloved
hand
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

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.

32

How to Remove Gloves (2)

Slide ungloved finger
under the wrist of the
remaining glove
Peel off from inside,
creating a bag for both
gloves
Discard
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Slide one or two fingers of the ungloved hand under the wrist of the remaining
glove. Peel glove off from the inside, creating a bag for both gloves. Discard in
waste container.

33

Remove Goggles or Face Shield

Grasp ear or head
pieces with ungloved
hands
Lift away from face
Place in designated
receptacle for
reprocessing or disposal
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Using ungloved hands, grasp the clean ear 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.

34

Removing Isolation Gown

Unfasten ties
Peel gown away from
neck and shoulder
Turn contaminated
outside toward the inside
Fold or roll into a bundle
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Discard

Unfasten the gown ties with the ungloved hands. Slip hands underneath the gown at
the neck and shoulder, peel away from the shoulders. Slip the fingers of one hand
under the cuff of the opposite arm. Pull the hand into the sleeve, grasping the
gown from inside. Reach across and push the sleeve off the opposite arm. Fold the
gown towards the inside and fold or roll into a bundle. (Only the clean part of the
gown should be visible.) Discard into waste or linen container, as appropriate.

35

Removing a Mask
Untie the bottom, then
top, tie
Remove from face
Discard

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

The front of the mask is considered contaminated and should not be touched.
Remove by handling only the ties or elastic bands starting with the bottom then top
tie or band. Lift the mask or respirator away from the face and discard it into the
designated waste receptacle.

36

Removing a Particulate Respirator

Lift the bottom elastic
over your head first
Then lift off the top
elastic
Discard

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

The bottom elastic should be lifted over the head first. Then remove the top elastic.
This should be done slowly to prevent the respirator from snapping off the face.

37

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 point
needed, e.g., sink or alcohol-based hand rub
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of preventing infection transmission. You should

perform hand hygiene immediately after removing PPE. If your hands become
visibly contaminated during PPE removal, wash hands before continuing to remove
PPE. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or, if hands are not
visibly contaminated, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

38

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings:

When to Use PPE

Thus far we have discussed the various types of PPE, considered various factors that
go into selecting appropriate PPE, and described how to don, use, and remove PPE
safely. This last segment of this presentation will discuss WHEN to use which
PPE.

39

Standard and Expanded

Isolation Precautions

Decisions regarding when and which type of PPE should be worn are determined by
CDC recommendations for Standard Precautions and Expanded Isolation
Precautions.

40

Standard Precautions
Previously called Universal Precautions
Assumes blood and body fluid of ANY patient
could be infectious
Recommends PPE and other infection control
practices to prevent transmission in any
healthcare setting
Decisions about PPE use determined by type
of clinical interaction with patient
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Standard Precautions is an outgrowth of Universal Precautions. Universal

Precautions was first recommended in 1987 to prevent the transmission of
bloodborne pathogens to healthcare personnel. In 1996, the application of the
concept was expanded and renamed Standard Precautions. Standard Precautions
is intended to prevent the transmission of common infectious agents to healthcare
personnel, patients and visitors in any healthcare setting. During care for any
patient, one should assume that an infectious agent could be present in the patients
blood or body fluids, including all secretions and excretions except tears and sweat.
Therefore appropriate precautions, including use of PPE, must be taken. Whether
PPE is needed, and if so, which type, is determined by the type of clinical
interaction with the patient and the degree of blood and body fluid contact that can
be reasonably anticipated and by whether the patient has been placed on isolation
precautions such as Contact or Droplet Precautions or Airborne Infection Isolation.

41

PPE for Standard Precautions (1)

Gloves Use when touching blood, body
fluids, secretions, excretions, contaminated
items; for touching mucus membranes and
nonintact skin
Gowns Use during procedures and patient
care activities when contact of clothing/
exposed skin with blood/body fluids,
secretions, or excretions is anticipated
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Under Standard Precautions, gloves should be used when touching blood, body
fluids, secretions, excretions, or contaminated items and for touching mucous
membranes and nonintact skin. A gown should be used during procedures and
patient care activities when contact of clothing and/or exposed skin with blood,
body fluids, secretions, or excretions is anticipated. Aprons are sometimes used as
PPE over scrubs, such as in hemodialysis centers when inserting a needle into a
fistula.

42

PPE for Standard Precautions (2)

Mask and goggles or a face shield Use
during patient care activities likely to generate
splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids,
secretions, or excretions

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Mask and goggles or a face shield should be used during patient care activities
that are likely to generate splashes and sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions, or
excretions.

43

What Type of PPE Would You

Wear?
Giving a bed bath?
Suctioning oral secretions?
Transporting a patient in a
wheel chair?
Responding to an
emergency where blood is
spurting?

Drawing blood from a

vein?
Cleaning an incontinent
patient with diarrhea?
Irrigating a wound?
Taking vital signs?

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Listed here are several patient care activities that could indicate a need to wear PPE. What PPE
would you wear for the following?

Giving a bed bath? (generally none)

Suctioning oral secretions? (gloves and mask/goggles or a face shield) (Respondents may correctly
note that this may depend on whether open or closed suction is being used)
Transporting a patient in a wheelchair? (generally none)
Responding to an emergency where blood is spurting? (gloves, fluid-resistant gown, mask/goggles or
a face shield)
Drawing blood from a vein? (gloves)
Cleaning an incontinent patient with diarrhea? (gloves and generally a gown)
Irrigating a wound? (gloves, gown, and mask/goggles or a face shield)
Taking vital signs? (generally none)

NOTE TO TRAINER: Encourage discussion of how healthcare personnel decide for themselves
which PPE will be worn. Do they over- or under-protect themselves? If a question is raised about
use of gloves for giving an injection, indicate that this is largely a matter of local or state policy.
OSHA does not require use of gloves for giving an injection.

44

What Type of PPE Would You Wear?

Giving a bed bath?
Generally none

Suctioning oral secretions?

Gloves and mask/goggles or a
face shield sometimes gown

Transporting a patient in a
wheel chair?
Generally none required

Responding to an emergency
where blood is spurting?

Drawing blood from a vein?

Gloves

Cleaning an incontinent patient

with diarrhea?
Gloves w/wo gown

Irrigating a wound?
Gloves, gown, mask/goggles
or a face shield

Taking vital signs?

Generally none

Gloves, fluid-resistant gown,

mask/goggles or a face shield
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Listed here are several patient care activities that could indicate a need to wear PPE.
What PPE would you wear for the following?
Giving a bed bath? (generally none)
Suctioning oral secretions? (gloves and mask/goggles or a face shield) (Respondents
may correctly note that this may depend on whether open or closed suction is being
used)
Transporting a patient in a wheelchair? (generally none)
Responding to an emergency where blood is spurting? (gloves, fluid-resistant gown,
and mask/goggles or a face shield)
Drawing blood from a vein? (gloves)
Cleaning an incontinent patient with diarrhea? (gloves and generally a gown)
Irrigating a wound? (gloves, gown, and mask/goggles or a face shield)
Taking vital signs? (generally none)
NOTE TO TRAINER: Encourage discussion of how healthcare personnel decide
for themselves which PPE will be worn. Do they over- or under-protect
themselves?

45

PPE for Expanded Precautions

Expanded Precautions include
Contact Precautions
Droplet Precautions
Airborne Infection Isolation

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

In some instances, healthcare personnel are required to wear PPE in addition to that
recommended for Standard Precautions. The three Expanded Precaution categories
(formerly called Transmission-Based Precautions) where this applies are Contact
and Droplet Precautions and Airborne Infection Isolation.

46

Use of PPE for Expanded

Precautions
Contact Precautions Gown and gloves for contact
with patient or environment of care (e.g., medical
equipment, environmental surfaces)
In some instances these are required for entering patients
environment

Droplet Precautions Surgical masks within 3 feet

of patient
Airborne Infection Isolation Particulate respirator*
*Negative pressure isolation room also required

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Contact Precautions requires gloves and gown for contact with the patient and/or the
environment of care; in some instances, use of this PPE is recommended for even
entering the patients environment. Droplet Precautions requires the use of a
surgical mask, and Airborne Infection Isolation requires that only a respirator be
worn.

47

Hand Hygiene
Required for Standard and Expanded Precautions
Perform
Immediately after removing PPE
Between patient contacts

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or

use alcohol-based hand rub
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Hand hygiene has been mentioned several time during this presentation. Hand
hygiene is an essential infection control practice to protect patients, healthcare
personnel and visitors and is required for both Standard and Expanded Precautions.
Hand hygiene should be performed immediately after removing PPE, even during
PPE changes and removal if necessary, and between patient contacts. Wash your
hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or, if hands are not visibly soiled, use a
alcohol-based hand rub.

48

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings:

Final Thoughts
PPE is available to protect you from exposure
to infectious agents in the healthcare
workplace
Know what type of PPE is necessary for the
duties you perform and use it correctly

These are a few final thoughts before ending todays presentation. Remember, PPE
is available to protect you from exposure to infectious agents during healthcare. It
is important that you know what type of PPE is necessary for the procedures you
perform AND that you use it correctly.

Thank you for your attention and participation. Are there any questions?

49