Sequence for Donning and Doffing Personal Protective Equipment
The type of PPE used will vary based on the level of precautions required, such as standard and contact, droplet, or airborne infection isolation precautions. The procedure for putting on and removing PPE should be tailored to the specific type of PPE.
This checklist helps guide individuals trained or working under those trained in infection prevention and control (IPAC) in conducting IPAC assessments related to COVID-19 in long-term care and retirement homes. It can be used during in-person or virtual visits to provide advice on preparedness and management of COVID-19. It can also be used by those working in or supporting long-term care or retirement homes for self-assessment and to guide policies, procedures, preparedness and response planning.
SEQUENCE FOR PUTTING ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
1. GOWN
• Fully cover torso from neck to knees, arms to the end of wrists, and wrap around the back
• Fasten in back of neck and waist
2. MASK OR RESPIRATOR
• Secure ties or elastic bands at the middle of head and neck
• Fit flexible band to the nose bridge
• Fit snug to face and below the chin
• Fit-check respirator
3. GOGGLES OR FACE SHIELD
• Place over face and eyes and adjust to fit
4. GLOVES
• Extend to cover wrist of isolation gown
USE SAFE WORK PRACTICES TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND LIMIT THE SPREAD OF CONTAMINATION
Keep hands away from the face
Limit surfaces touched
Change gloves when torn or heavily contaminated
Perform hand hygiene
HOW TO SAFELY REMOVE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
1. GLOVES
• Outside of gloves are contaminated!
• If your hands get contaminated during glove removal, immediately wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Using a gloved hand, grasp the palm area of the other gloved hand and peel off first glove
• Hold removed glove in gloved hand
• Slide fingers of ungloved hand under remaining glove at wrist and peel off second glove over first glove
• Discard gloves in a waste container
2. GOGGLES OR FACE SHIELD
• Outside of goggles or face shield are contaminated!
• If your hands get contaminated during goggle or face shield removal, immediately wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Remove goggles or face shield from the back by lifting headband or earpieces
• If the item is reusable, place it in the designated receptacle for reprocessing. Otherwise, discard in a waste container
3. GOWN
• Gown front and sleeves are contaminated!
• If your hands get contaminated during gown removal, immediately wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Unfasten gown ties, taking care that sleeves don’t contact your body when reaching forties
• Pull gown away from neck and shoulders, touching inside of gown only
• Turn gown inside out
• Fold or roll into a bundle and discard in a waste container
4. MASK OR RESPIRATOR
• Front of mask/respirator is contaminated — DO NOT TOUCH!
• If your hands get contaminated during mask/respirator removal, immediately wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Grasp bottom ties or elastics of the mask/respirator, then the ones at the top, and remove without touching the front
• Discard in a waste container
