Example of Safe Donning and Removal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings (2007)

Appendix A: Figure.

 

Donning PPE

Illustration of safe donning of personal protective equipment (PPE) described in the text.

Gown

  • Fully cover torso from neck to knees, arms to end of wrist, and wrap around the back
  • Fasten in back at neck and waist

Mask or Respirator

  • Secure ties or elastic band at middle of head and neck
  • Fit flexible band to nose bridge
  • Fit snug to face and below chin
  • Fit-check respirator

Goggles/Face Shield

  • Put on face and adjust to fit

Gloves

  • Use non-sterile for isolation
  • Select according to hand size
  • Extend to cover wrist of isolation gown

Safe Work Practices

  • Keep hands away from face
  • Work from clean to dirty
  • Limit surfaces touched
  • Change when torn or heavily contaminated
  • Perform hand hygiene

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Removing PPE

Illustration of safe removal of personal protective equipment (PPE) described in the text.

Remove PPE at doorway before leaving patient room or in anteroom

Gloves

  • Outside of gloves are contaminated!
  • Grasp outside of glove with opposite gloved hand; peel off
  • Hold removed glove in gloved hand
  • Slide fingers of ungloved hand under remaining glove at wrist

Goggles/Face Shield

  • Outside of goggles or face shield are contaminated!
  • To remove, handle by “clean” head band or ear pieces
  • Place in designated receptacle for reprocessing or in waste container

Gown

  • Gown front and sleeves are contaminated!
  • Unfasten neck, then waist ties
  • Remove gown using a peeling motion; pull gown from each shoulder toward the same hand
  • Gown will turn inside out
  • Hold removed gown away from body, roll into a bundle and discard into waste or linen receptacle

Mask or Respirator

  • Front of mask/respirator is contaminated – DO NOT TOUCH!
  • Grasp ONLY bottom then top ties/elastics and remove
  • Discard in waste container

Hand Hygiene

Perform hand hygiene immediately after removing all PPE!

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