Key points about PPE:

• Don before contact with the patient, generally before entering the room.
• Use carefully - don't spread contamination.
• Remove and discard carefully, either at the doorway or immediately outside the patient room; remove respirator outside room.
• Immediately perform hand hygiene.

Sequence for donning PPE:

The order in which PPE is donned, is based on the combination of needed PPE, although the following recommendations are made, the specific situation will determine which sequence is practical.

• Gown first,
• Mask or respirator,
• Goggles or face shield,
• Gloves.

Using PPE Safely:

• Keep gloved hands away from face;
• Avoid touching or adjusting other PPE;
• Remove gloves if they become torn; perform hand hygiene before donning new gloves;
• Limit surfaces and items touched.

Contaminated areas include:

• The outside front of the PPE; and any
• Areas of the PPE that have had or are likely to have been in contact with body sites, materials or environmental surfaces where the infectious organism may reside.

Clean areas include:

• The inside, outside back, ties on head and back; and any
• Areas of PPE not likely to have been in contact with infectious organisms.

The order in which PPE is removed also is important in maintaining protection. The sequence is:

• Gloves,
• Face shield or goggles,
• Gown,
• Mask or respirator.