5.20:
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings II: Doffing
Healthcare workers must take off their PPE, known as doffing, correctly to avoid contamination.
The gown's outer front and sleeves, the outer surface of gloves, goggles, mask, respirator, and face shield are the contaminated areas
First, remove the shoe covers, gloves, face shield, goggles, gown, mask, or respirator.
The wearer must hold and pull the first glove from the cuff and then peel off the second by inserting their finger. Roll the second glove inside-out over the first.
Hold the earpieces or headband at the back or side of the head and lift them outward to remove the goggles or face shield.
Untie and pull the gown down. It must be folded inside out and discarded since the outer front is contaminated.
Remove the mask or respirator after exiting the patient's room. The mask must be lifted from the face and discarded by grasping its ties or elastic bands.
Finally, wash hands immediately after removing PPE.
5.20:
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings II: Doffing
The sequence of removing or doffing PPE starts with the gloves, as they are the most contaminated. Next is removal of the face shield or goggles, as they would interfere with removing other PPE. Then remove the gown, followed by the mask or respirator. Perform hand hygiene between steps if hands become contaminated and immediately after removing all PPE. Generally, the outside front and sleeves of the isolation gown, the goggles or the mask, the respirator, and the face shield are contaminated. Also, the outside of the gloves is contaminated.
Use the surgical mask for a single session and change the gloves and aprons between patient or care activities. While removing gloves, grasp the outside of the glove's cuff and peel off; hold the glove in the gloved hand, insert the finger underneath, and peel off the second glove. Then perform hand hygiene. For goggles or face shields, grasp the earpieces side of the head or at the back and lift them forward, away from the face.
Avoid touching the goggles or face shields on the front. Unfasten gown ties and peel them away from the neck and shoulder. Then turn the contaminated outside toward the inside, roll over, and discard it.
Avoid touching the outer side of the mask, as it is considered contaminated. Instead, touch the ties or elastic bands, starting with the bottom, then the top tie or band for removal. Finally, lift the mask or respirator away from the face and discard it into the designated waste receptacle.
Wash hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer immediately after removing all PPE.