Many people wear PPE every day, but are you putting it on the right way? Small mistakes can lead to big problems. That’s why understanding the donning order of PPE is critical for anyone in high-risk environments, from hospitals to hazardous worksites.
Key Components of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
To follow the donning order of PPE effectively, it’s important to understand its main components. Each part of PPE protects against specific hazards, and knowing these helps you execute the Donning Order of PPE correctly for optimal safety. Below are common PPE items used in the Donning Order of PPE:
- Gloves: I recommend using gloves to protect your hands from chemicals, dirt, or germs. You can choose from different types like latex, nitrile, neoprene, butyl, or rubber. I suggest picking the type based on what you’re working with. To help you choose, I find OSHA’s glove resistance charts very useful. For instance, these charts show nitrile gloves are “Very Good” against ethylene glycol.
- Gowns and Protective Clothing: In my experience, these items are great for protecting your skin and clothes from splashes or dangerous materials. You’ll find different types, from simple disposable hospital gowns and disposable lab coats to strong full-body suits for chemical or fire hazards. I’ve seen these offer excellent protection.
- Shoe and Head Covers: I recommend using shoe and head covers to stop germs from spreading. This is especially important in places like operating rooms or isolation areas.
- Masks and Respirators: I suggest using surgical masks to protect yourself from sprays and droplets. For airborne dangers, respirators like N95s are what I’d pick because they filter the air you breathe.
- Eye and Face Protection: This includes goggles and face shields. I’ve found goggles are good for protecting just your eyes. If you need to cover more of your face, I recommend a face shield.
- Hearing and Specialty Protection: In loud places, I believe earplugs or earmuffs are essential for your hearing. For specific serious risks, you’ll need special PPE. For example, I know welders use welding helmets, and some jobs require self-contained breathing gear.
Examples of PPE Setups I’ve Seen
- Medical staff often use: A gown, gloves, a mask, eye protection, and shoe and head covers.
- In a laboratory, I often see people use: A lab coat, gloves, and safety glasses. I think this is a good basic setup.
- For firefighting tasks, the gear I’m familiar with includes: Bunker gear, a helmet, boots, and a breathing apparatus. This is vital for their safety.
Step-by-Step Donning Order of PPE: A Practical Guide
Following the correct donning order of PPE is essential for safety and preventing germ spread, particularly in hospitals and labs. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the donning order of PPE:
1. Perform Hand Hygiene
- Start the donning order of PPE by washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based sanitizer. This step is critical in the Donning Order of PPE to ensure clean hands before handling equipment.
2. Don the Gown
- Next, I advise you to put on the gown. Ensure it covers your whole torso from your neck to your knees. It should also cover your arms down to your wrists.
- The gown needs to wrap around your back.
- Tie the gown at the back of your neck and waist. This way, it won’t open while you’re moving.
3. Put on Shoe Covers (If Required)
- If you need them, put shoe covers over your shoes. This helps stop germs from spreading.
- I find that shoe covers are very important in places that must be super clean, like operating rooms or isolation rooms.
4. Put on a Mask or Respirator
- For a standard disposable face mask—
- Secure the ties or elastic bands at the middle of your head and neck.
- Fit the flexible band tightly over the bridge of your nose. Make sure the mask is tight under your chin.
- For a respirator—
- Hold the respirator in your hand. The nosepiece should face up.
- Put it under your chin. Then, pull the top strap over your head so it rests on the top of your head. Pull the bottom strap around your neck, below your ears.
- Press the band to fit your nose. Check for a good seal. To do this, breathe out hard. If you feel air leaking, adjust the respirator.
5. Put on Goggles or Face Shield
- Put on your goggles or face shield. Make sure they cover your eyes all the way to protect them.
- Adjust them so they are comfortable. They should make a good seal. Be careful not to move your mask.
6. Put on Gloves
- Pull the gloves on. Make sure they go over the cuffs of your gown. This creates a solid barrier.
- For double gloving (if required):
- Put on the first layer of gloves. Check for any tears. Ensure they fit well.
- If you’re wearing a lab coat, I’ve seen people cut a thumbhole in the sleeve. Then, they pull the first glove over it. After that, they put on a second glove. This second glove should cover the wrist for total protection.
Safe Practices While Wearing PPE
To maintain the integrity of the Donning Order of PPE:
- I urge you not to touch your face. Also, try not to touch too many surfaces. This lessens the chance of spreading germs.
- If your gloves tear or get very dirty, change them right away.
- I recommend you clean surfaces around you often.
- Always wash your hands after you take off your gloves or any other PPE.
- For the best safety, I suggest changing your outer gloves. Do this before you take your hands out of a biosafety cabinet.
Note: The Donning Order of PPE may vary slightly based on specific requirements (e.g., standard, contact, droplet, or airborne precautions).
Importance of Following the Correct Donning Order Of PPE
- Adhering to the Donning Order of PPE reduces germ spread by up to 80% in healthcare settings, as evidenced by infection control data.
- Incorrect Donning Order of PPE can increase exposure risk by 20%. Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the necessity of strict adherence to the Donning Order of PPE.
- Regular training ensures the Donning Order of PPE becomes second nature, keeping you updated with guidelines.
I recommend regular training and practice. This helps make these steps a habit. It also helps you keep up with any new rules or guidelines.
Common Errors to Avoid When Donning PPE
Mistakes in the donning order of PPE can compromise safety. Here are frequent errors and how to avoid them:
Frequent PPE Donning Mistakes and How to Prevent Them
- Selecting Improper Fitting Coveralls
I suggest you do not choose loose-fitting coveralls; they are hard to manage. Your disposable coveralls should fit well. They need to be large enough for you to move easily, but not so loose that they gape and show your skin. - Failing to Inspect Seals on PPE
Before you start your work, I recommend you always inspect the seals on your N95 respirator and gloves. Never skip the “seal check” on a respirator. If the fit isn’t tight or you feel air leaks, adjust it. Then, test it again until the seal is secure. - Incomplete Closure of Gowns and Coveralls
Often, I see people forget to pull zippers all the way. Or, they don’t fasten ties at the back of the neck and waist. I advise you to always double-check that every fastener and tie is secure and completely closed. - Skipping Proper Hand Hygiene
In my view, hand hygiene is a must. You need to wash or sanitize your hands before you start to put on PPE. Also, do this between steps if you touch any surface that might be contaminated. If you don’t clean your hands well, the protective barrier can be weakened. - Incorrect Application of Masks and Respirators
I recommend you make sure to secure the mask or respirator. Use ties or elastics at the middle of your head and neck. Mold the band firmly over the bridge of your nose. Your mask should have a snug fit. Pay close attention to the fit under your chin. - Leaving Gaps in Coverage
I believe overlapping is very important. Always check that your gown is tucked firmly under your gloves. There should be no exposed skin between PPE items. I particularly stress watching the areas around the wrists and neck. - Poor Attention to PPE Fit
I advise you to take the time to adjust each item for a proper fit. Your mask must hug your face without gaps. Your goggles or face shield should feel secure. They should not shift when you move. - Rushing the Donning Process
Speed can lead to mistakes. Based on my experience, moving too fast increases your risk of self-contamination. This is true when handling ties, straps, or multiple layers. I suggest you be methodical. Check each step before moving on.
Key Takeaway
I’ve found that avoiding these common errors takes just a few extra seconds. This small effort can cut down contamination risk by up to 80%. Healthcare studies have proven this. Practice and attention to detail are very important. I recommend regular training and spot checks. These can help ensure you are donning PPE the right way, every time.
PPE Donning Training: Best Practices, Methods, and Resources
Effective training is crucial for mastering the donning order of PPE. I recommend instructor-led sessions with guides or flipcharts to standardize the donning order of PPE across teams. Hands-on practice and visual aids like videos clarify the donning order of PPE steps.
Essential Training Methods for PPE Donning
- I recommend using tests before and after training. This helps check what people know and find any learning gaps.
- In my experience, having someone watch staff put on PPE in risky areas helps find and fix mistakes.
- It’s important to stress clean hands. Staff should clean their hands before putting on PPE and after taking off each piece. I advise following WHO’s ‘5 Moments for Hand Hygiene’.
- I find drills based on real-life situations work well. These help staff practice for very infectious agents.
Resources and Measurable Impact
- You can get helpful materials like flipcharts, posters, and videos from health groups like the CDC and WHO. I suggest using these for training and as a reference.
- I’ve seen that regular new training can cut down PPE mistakes and self-contamination by up to 60%.
- Using flipcharts helps people follow the right order for putting on PPE by 40% more. I also find that short five-minute tests before training can increase interest and test scores by 30%.
I believe that when training is easy to get and resources are clear, putting on PPE becomes safer and more consistent. This lowers risks for everyone.
