What should I do before putting on personal protective gear to give care?

Elizabeth Beam on behalf of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

Nursing

First and foremost, wash your hands. This will ensure that your hands are clean before you put on any PPE. Not all care requires gloves, gowns, protective eyewear, or masks. A good rule of thumb is: "if it is wet and not yours don't touch it." This helps with blood, urine or other obvious body fluids.

Sometimes we can be exposed to splashes, fine mists, or droplets in the air. Then a mask, respirator, or goggles would be helpful. Masks can be put on the patient and the caregiver to reduce the number of particles in the air.

The order we "put on" and "take off" our PPE matters. For more information on this, copy this video link into your web browser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxdaSeq4EVU&list=UU-g0YPrNz_XHGNOvi6POoCA&index=18&feature=plcp

American Red Cross

Before putting on personal protective equipment such as disposable gloves, cover any of your own cuts, scrapes or sores with a bandage to prevent disease transmission when giving care.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.