PROPER USE OF PPE

Before caring for patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19
MVH staff must:

Demonstrate competency in performing appropriate infection control practices and procedures.

Remember:

• PPE must be donned correctly before entering the unit.

• PPE must remain in place and be worn correctly for the duration of work in potentially contaminated areas. PPE should not be adjusted (e.g., retying gown, adjusting respirator/facemask) during patient care.

• PPE must be removed slowly and deliberately in a sequence that prevents self-contamination. A step-by-step process should be COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment.

A healthcare worker puts on personal protective equipment

This video from the CDC will teach you what personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used in Maine Veterans’ Homes, when, and how to use it correctly to help protect yourself and residents from COVID-19.

Donning (putting on the gear):

1.) Identify and gather the proper PPE to don. Ensure choice of gown size is correct (based on training).

2.) Perform hand hygiene using hand sanitizer.

3.) Put on isolation gown. Tie all of the ties on the gown. Assistance may be needed by another HCP.

4.) Put on NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirator or higher (use a facemask if a respirator is not available). If the respirator has a nosepiece, it should be fitted to the nose with both hands, not bent or tented. Do not pinch the nosepiece with one hand. Respirator/facemask should be extended under chin. Both your mouth and nose should be protected. Do not wear respirator/facemask under your chin or store in scrubs pocket between patients.*

Respirator: Respirator straps should be placed on crown of head (top strap) and base of neck (bottom strap). Perform a user seal check each time you put on the respirator.

Facemask: Mask ties should be secured on crown of head (top tie) and base of neck (bottom tie). If mask has loops, hook appropriately around your ears.

5.) Put on face shield or goggles. Face shields provide full face coverage. Goggles also provide excellent protection for eyes, but fogging is common.

6.) Perform hand hygiene before putting on gloves. Gloves should cover the cuff (wrist) of gown.

7.) HCP may now enter patient room.

Demonstration of Donning (putting on the gear):

Doffing (taking off the gear):

1.) Remove gloves. Ensure glove removal does not cause additional contamination of hands. Gloves can be removed using more than one technique (e.g., glove-in-glove or bird beak).

2.) Remove gown. Untie all ties (or unsnap all buttons). Some gown ties can be broken rather than untied. Do so in gentle manner, avoiding a forceful movement. Reach up to the shoulders and carefully pull gown down and away from the body. Rolling the gown down is an acceptable approach. Dispose in trash receptacle.*

3.) HCP may now exit patient room.

4.) Perform hand hygiene.

5.) Remove face shield or goggles. Carefully remove face shield or goggles by grabbing the strap and pulling upwards and away from head. Do not touch the front of face shield or goggles.

6.) Remove and discard respirator (or facemask if used instead of respirator).* Do not touch the front of the respirator or facemask.

Respirator: Remove the bottom strap by touching only the strap and bring it carefully over the head. Grasp the top strap and bring it carefully over the head, and then pull the respirator away from the face without touching the front of the respirator.

Facemask: Carefully untie (or unhook from the ears) and pull away from face without touching the front.

7.) Perform hand hygiene after removing the respirator/facemask