Putting on (donning) or taking off (doffing) personal protective equipment (PPE) can be tricky, and even a small error can render it useless. Properly donning your PPE is crucial for ensuring its effectiveness, but mastering the correct doffing procedure is even more critical. Skipping a step or failing to follow the right sequence can lead to contamination, putting both you and your environment at risk.
Healthcare professionals undergo extensive training for donning and doffing PPE, but for those of us who are new to this practice, it’s essential to familiarize ourselves with the recommended guidelines. Below is the sequence recommended by the CDC for putting on and removing your PPE.
For those interested, here’s the same sequence translated into both English and Spanish. And if you prefer visual guidance, there’s a helpful video available that demonstrates these techniques.
In the video, you'll notice the clinician sanitized her hands mid-doffing. While this isn't strictly necessary at home, it's certainly not a bad habit to adopt—especially if you find yourself rolling the gown down your arms during removal.
Different Supplies Require Different Techniques
If you're only working with a mask and gloves:
- Start by removing your gloves,
- then take off the mask (as shown in the video),
- and finally, wash your hands thoroughly.
Before removing your mask, it’s wise to clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer. Once the mask is off, sanitize your hands again.
For a setup involving a mask, goggles or face shield, and gloves:
- Remove your gloves,
- take off the goggles or face shield,
- remove the mask,
- and finish with hand hygiene.
Even without gloves, you should treat your hands as potentially contaminated during the doffing process. Simply skip the glove removal step and proceed with the rest of the sequence.
Key Reminders
Hand hygiene remains the cornerstone of safety when using PPE. Always sanitize your hands both before and after handling your PPE.
Equally important is avoiding contact with your face. A mask won’t protect you if you touch it with contaminated hands. Once your mask is properly fitted, avoid touching it unnecessarily.
If you need to wear an N95 mask and have facial hair, consider shaving it. Facial hair can compromise the seal of an N95 mask, reducing its effectiveness. However, this isn’t necessary for surgical or procedural masks.
Once you’re back indoors, follow the doffing steps carefully, remembering that anything that has touched the outside of your PPE is likely contaminated. By paying attention to these details, you’ll minimize risks and ensure your safety.
Stay vigilant, stay safe, and keep practicing until these steps feel second nature!
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