COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Healthcare-Specific PPE Use Guidance

Healthcare personnel should refer to infection prevention and control recommendations and guidance for caring for patients with confirmed or possible COVID-19  for additional guidance related to PPE recommendations.

• Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Protective Equipment

General PPE Guidance

How to Properly Use PPE

• Infographic: Sequence for Putting on PPE

Optimizing PPE Supply

Guidance

• Strategies to Optimize the Supply of PPE and Equipment in Healthcare Settings

Tools

To track how quickly personal protective equipment is being used, download our free calculator or mobile app:

• NIOSH PPE Tracker App

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Burn Rate Calculator

Respirators

The following resources include a list of NIOSH-approved N95 respirators, the differences between N95 respirators and surgical masks, use guidelines, and information on fit-testing.

NIOSH-Approved N95 Respirators

• NIOSH-Approved N95 Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirators
• Counterfeit Respirators / Misrepresentation of NIOSH-Approval

Differences between N95 Respirators and Surgical Masks

• Infographic: Understanding the difference between surgical masks and N95 respirators

How to Use Respirators

• Infographic: Important Steps for Using NIOSH-Approved N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators
• Infographic: Three Key Factors Required for a Respirator to be Effective
• Infographic: How to Properly Put on and Take off a Disposable Respirator

Fit-Testing

• Factsheet: Frequently asked questions about Respiratory Protection: Fit Testing
• Factsheet: Filtering out Confusion: Frequently Asked Questions about Respiratory Protection, User Seal Check
• NIOSH Science Blog: The Need for Fit Testing During Emerging Infectious Disease Outbreaks