What is the correct order to put on PPE?

What is the correct order to put on PPE?

• A. Put on gloves, wash hands, put on a gown, put on a mask or respirator, put on goggles.
• B. Wash hands, put on a gown, put on goggles or a face shield, put on a mask or respirator, put on gloves.
• C. Wash hands, put on a gown, put on a mask or respirator, put on goggles or a face shield, put on gloves.
• D. Wash hands, put on a gown, put on gloves, put on a mask or respirator, put on goggles.

Answer: (C)

The essential idea is to don PPE in a clean-to-dirty sequence, starting with hand hygiene. This keeps hands as clean as possible as you handle each piece of equipment. After washing, put on the gown to create a barrier for your clothing and skin. Next, apply the mask or respirator to protect your airway before touching face-area surfaces again. Then place the goggles or face shield to shield your eyes from splashes or droplets. Finally, put on the gloves, ensuring they cover the cuffs of the gown. This order minimizes the chance of contaminating clean surfaces because you’re handling progressively dirtier items last and preventing dirty hands from touching the face or the inner surfaces of already donned gear. Sequences that place gloves before the mask or goggles would risk contaminating those facial PPE surfaces or transferring contaminants to the hands or face when adjusting or removing equipment. Similarly, moving goggles before the mask can compromise the mask seal or lead to touching the mask with contaminated hands.

The essential idea is to don PPE in a clean-to-dirty sequence, starting with hand hygiene. This keeps hands as clean as possible as you handle each piece of equipment. After washing, put on the gown to create a barrier for your clothing and skin. Next, apply the mask or respirator to protect your airway before touching face-area surfaces again. Then place the goggles or face shield to shield your eyes from splashes or droplets. Finally, put on the gloves, ensuring they cover the cuffs of the gown. This order minimizes the chance of contaminating clean surfaces because you’re handling progressively dirtier items last and preventing dirty hands from touching the face or the inner surfaces of already donned gear.

Sequences that place gloves before the mask or goggles would risk contaminating those facial PPE surfaces or transferring contaminants to the hands or face when adjusting or removing equipment. Similarly, moving goggles before the mask can compromise the mask seal or lead to touching the mask with contaminated hands.