Appendix A: Figure. Example of Safe Donning and Removal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

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

What to know

Below are illustrations and instructions for donning and removing personal protective equipment (PPE).

Donning of PPE

Illustration demonstrating safe donning of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Donning PPE

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

Removing PPE

Gloves

Illustration demonstrating safe removal of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Removing PPE
  • 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!