Donning (putting on) and doffing (removing) personal protective equipment (PPE) is a critical process that requires significant care.

This process, particularly the removal and disposal of contaminated PPE, is considered a highly important step in limiting exposure to pathogens (CEC 2020).

Healthcare organisations should uphold appropriate infection control and prevention measures as per the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, Standard 3: Preventing and Controlling Infections.

What is Personal Protective Equipment?

The term personal protective equipment refers to any clothing or equipment used for protection (Safe Work NSW 2020).

In healthcare settings, PPE is used to create a barrier between you and any infectious agents that you may come into contact with during your work. The aim of this is to reduce the risk of touching, transmitting or being exposed to pathogens (MedlinePlus 2021).

PPE includes:

• Clothing (gowns, aprons, head covering and shoe covers)
• Gloves
• Masks (surgical or particle filter respirator)
• Eye protection (face shields and goggles).

(MedlinePlus 2021)

Using PPE Effectively

• Healthcare workers must be thoroughly informed about any infections and updated on the current policies, procedures and protocols of their organisation
• Workers must have access to the necessary equipment to carry out the specified task correctly and safely
• You may consider having a second clinician present to supervise the donning and doffing process and ensure it is performed correctly
• Healthcare organisations must apply both standard and transmission-based precautions as they are applied individually
• Workers must have a thorough understanding of contact, droplet and airborne precautions
• Strict hand hygiene must be performed.

(CEC 2020; WHO 2019; ACSQHC 2019)

How to Don PPE

1. Perform hand hygiene.
2. Put on your gown.
   • Fully cover your torso from your neck to your knees and your arms to the end of your wrists, then tie at the back.
   • The gown should be large enough to allow unrestricted movement without gaping.
   • Fasten at the back of the neck and waist.
3. Put on your surgical mask or P2/N5 respirator.
   • Secure the ties or elastic bands at the middle of the head and neck.
   • Fit the flexible band to your nose bridge.
   • Fit your mask snug to your face and below your chin.
   • Fit-check your respirator according to manufacturer instructions.
4. Put on your protective eyewear or face shield by placing it over eyes/face and adjusting to fit.
5. Perform hand hygiene.
6. Put on your gloves, extending them to cover the wrist of your gown.

(CEC 2020)

Remember to always refer to WHO’s ‘5 Moments for Hand Hygiene’.

How to Doff PPE

Following a correct doffing procedure is especially crucial in the control and prevention of infection. It is the most important step of preventing infection transmission (CEC 2020).

Doffing should be performed in a way that protects your clothing, skin and mucous membranes from contamination (CDC 2014).

Remember that all PPE is contaminated after use. Perform hand hygiene immediately after each step of doffing (Queensland Health 2020).

Your gloves and gown should be removed before exiting the patient’s room (CDC 2014).

1. Remove your gloves.
   • Using one hand, grasp the palm of the other hand and peel off the first glove.
   • Hold the dirty glove in the hand that is still gloved.
   • Slide fingers of the ungloved hand under the remaining glove at the wrist and peel it off over the first glove.
   • Discard gloves in a waste container.
2. Perform hand hygiene.
3. Remove your gown.
   • Unfasten the ties, ensuring the sleeves don’t make contact with your body.
   • Pull the gown away from your neck and shoulders, touching the inside only.
   • Turn the gown inside out.
   • Fold or roll the gown into a bundle and discard in the waste container.
4. Perform hand hygiene.
5. Exit the patient’s room and close the door.
6. Remove your goggles/face shield.
   • Remove from the back of the head by lifting the headband or ear pieces.
   • If reusable, place it in the designated reprocessing receptacle. If not, discard in an appropriate waste container.
7. Perform hand hygiene.
8. Remove your mask/respirator.
   • Grasp the bottom ties/elastics, then the top ones, and remove without touching the front of the mask.
   • Discard in the waste container.
9. Immediately perform hand hygiene.

(CEC 2020)

Remember that PPE must be disposed of after use unless it is marked as reusable. Reusable PPE must be reprocessed before being used again (CEC 2020).

Other Considerations

• If PPE is not worn correctly, there is a high risk of contamination. Always follow hospital protocol and notify your supervisor if necessary.
• If goggles and masks are worn for too long, they may cause pressure injuries to the face. Ensure you protect bony prominences and/or change PPE frequently if possible.
• Always remember to engage with the patient, as it can be quite confronting for them not to see the healthcare worker’s face.
• Take regular breaks if you can.

(Pyrek 2018)

Conclusion

Correct PPE use is crucial to infection control and prevention. You must always ensure correct procedures for donning and doffing are followed, and that staff are well-trained and competent (Pyrek 2018).

Always refer to your organisation’s policies and procedures.