Mamlktik

 

 Effective, Safe Ways to Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

 Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is in the news a lot with the current COVID-19 pandemic. You’ve probably seen doctors or healthcare workers in masks, gowns, and shields working with patients. Needing to use PPE probably feels a little scary, but it can keep you healthy and protect you from the virus or other infections spread through droplets. As long as you follow the right steps to put it on and wear it properly, it can help you avoid getting sick while working or living around infected people. 

***************

Wash your hands before touching your equipment. It’s very important to sanitize your hands so you don’t contaminate your PPE. Either wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to kill any germs on your hands before getting started.[1]

    Scrub your hands well when you’re cleaning them. Remember to clean up to your wrists, between your fingers, and around your fingernails

*************

Secure the isolation gown around your torso. The isolation gown is a large smock that covers your body from your neck to your knees. Put it on by sliding your arms into the sleeves and pulling it around your neck and torso. Then reach behind yourself to tie the straps behind your neck and waist to close the opening on your back.[3]

    Make sure your gown fits properly. If it’s too small, you won’t get the best protection.
    If you can’t reach around your back, someone else can help you tie the gown. Just make sure they wash their hands first.[4]
    If you're working with hazardous chemicals or liquid waste, the World Health Organization also recommends a rubber apron or waterproof gown over your main gown

**************

 Put a mask or respirator over your nose and mouth. Press the respirator against your face so it fits snugly over your nose and mouth. Then slide the straps behind your ears or over your head, depending on the type of mask you’re using. Adjust the mask so it stretches below your chin and onto your cheeks. This prevents you from breathing in any germs and getting sick.[6]

    Check your mask to make sure it’s snug and there are no openings around the sides. Adjust it now if you have to, because you shouldn't touch your mask once you've been around infected people.
    Ideally you should wear an N95 respirator or above for the most protection or if you’re already infected, but use a regular facemask if respirators aren’t available.[7]
    If you can, wear a surgical mask that covers your nose and mouth and then protect yourself with a face shield.

Cover your eyes with goggles or a face shield. Either of these will work to protect your eyes from germs. Fit the strap around the back of your head so it rests just above your ears. Then adjust the goggles or mask so they cover your eyes completely and sit comfortably against your face.[8]

    If you’re wearing goggles, they should press against your face and cover your eyes on all sides. The loose, glasses-type goggles don’t have enough protection for PPE, but they're better than nothing if you don't have a choice.
    Even if you wear a full face shield, you still need to wear a mask or respirator. The shield isn’t closed on the sides, so you can still breathe in virus droplets from the air.

******************

 Pull your gloves over the wrists of your isolation gown. Put rubber gloves on each hand. Then grab each one from the back and pull it up over the cuff of your gown. Make sure there is no skin showing.[10]

    Standard, disposable rubber gloves are fine for PPE. There are also thicker rubber gloves used for cleaning that could work.
    No matter what type of gloves you use, make sure there are no cracks or tears in them. Use a new set if yours are damaged at all.

*********************

Put on rubber boots or shoe coverings if there's a risk for splashing. Foot protection is recommended for some types of PPE, especially if you're around any liquid waste. If you have rubber boots, put these on last. Otherwise, use rubber shoe coverings to protect your feet from contamination.[11]

    If you don't have rubber boots or shoe coverings, heavy, water-resistant boots can also work.
    Since COVD-19 is an airborne virus, experts don't currently recommend boots or shoe coverings as part of essential PPE. This is meant more for chemical or sanitary spills, or diseases where people could be bleeding, like Ebola\

**

 Don’t touch or adjust your PPE while you’re wearing it. Once your PPE is on and you’re around patients, the outside of the gear is contaminated, especially your gloves. Don’t readjust your mask, goggles, or gown, or you risk infecting yourself. Especially keep your hands away from your face.[16]

    Try to cut down on the number of things you touch if you can avoid it. This reduces the number of germs you’ll pick up.
    If your gear is falling off or not fitting correctly, leave the area and get new equipment.