PPE or personal protective equipment is vital for safeguarding the health of both patients and healthcare workers. Effective use of PPE in the healthcare industry protects wearers from infection and helps stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
PPE should always be worn when providing care for someone that is:
- Infected with or suspected to be infected with COVID-19,
- When in contact with individuals who are showing fever or respiratory symptoms that suggest a possible infection,
- Or if the individual is involved in the specimen collection process for the diagnosis of COVID-19.
PPE such as surgical masks should also be given to patients when treating individuals who show symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever or respiratory symptoms.
Recommendations for COVID-safe PPE in the healthcare industry include masks, face shields, gloves, gowns or aprons and shoe covers.
Surgical Mask
The surgical mask is one of the most important pieces of PPE when working with potentially infected patients. It is used to protect the respiratory tract of the wearer from infected particles in the air such as droplets from coughs or sneezes. Surgical masks are placed over the nose and mouth and act as a physical barrier against pathogens. Surgical masks should also be worn by patients suspected of COVID-19, acting as an overlay that stops infected droplets from being spread.
It should be noted that when working in environments where COVID-19 is likely to get aerosolized, such as certain medical procedures like nebulisers, healthcare workers should wear respirators instead of surgical masks.
Face Shield
COVID-19 can be spread through the mucus membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth, which means that surgical masks are often not enough to provide effective protection against direct splashes or droplets. Face shields can provide an extra layer of protection. Acting as a covering for the entire face to stop infected droplets from coming into contact with the mucus membranes of healthcare workers. Face shields are clear visors, which allow staff to still see effectively and perform their duties while staying protected.
Disposable non-sterile gloves
Disposable gloves are important for minimising the amount of infected material a healthcare worker comes into direct contact with. The physical barrier of the gloves allows them to work with infected material such as bodily fluids and then dispose of the gloves safely, minimising the potential for the infection to touch the skin and then be passed on to the mucus membrane of the eyes, mouth or nose. When combined with proper disposal and hand washing, this can be an effective way of minimising the risk when dealing with COVID-19 patients. Nitrile, latex-free gloves are recommended due to their higher level of puncture resistance.
Long-sleeved gown or apron
Infection can be passed through droplets in the air but also by coming into contact with infected materials like clothing. Disposable long-sleeved gowns or aprons act as protection against splashes or droplets coming into contact with clothing or skin that might then be carried out of the infected area. Like gloves, when disposed of safely and combined with proper hygiene long-sleeved gowns or aprons can be a key method of stopping transmission through contact.
Shoe covers
It can often be easy to forget that infected droplets from coughs or sneezes can end up on the floor and be carried through a healthcare facility on the soles of the shoes. Shoe covers act as a barrier that can provide protection in infected areas and then be disposed of safely before leaving.