In what order should PPE be doffed to minimize contamination?

In what order should PPE be doffed to minimize contamination?

• A. Gloves, eye protection, gown, mask, then hand hygiene.
• B. Gown, eye protection, gloves, mask, then hand hygiene.
• C. Mask, gloves, gown, eye protection, then hand hygiene.
• D. Eye protection, gown, gloves, mask, then hand hygiene.

Answer: (A)

Doffing PPE in this order minimizes contamination by removing the most likely contaminated items first and keeping clean skin away from surfaces that could harbor pathogens. Start with gloves because they’re directly in contact with potentially infectious material; taking them off first reduces the chance of transferring germs to your hands or clothing as you continue removing the rest. Next, eye protection is removed to guard the mucous membranes from any droplets that may have reached the face, handling it by the straps so you don’t touch the contaminated front. Then the gown is removed to prevent the outside contaminated surface from contacting your clothes or skin, typically by turning it away from the body as you peel it off. The mask is taken off next, again avoiding touching the front where droplets may be present and handling it by the ties or elastics. Finally, hand hygiene is performed to wash away any remaining contaminants on your hands after all PPE has been removed. Other sequences risk transferring contamination to clean surfaces or the face during removal.

Doffing PPE in this order minimizes contamination by removing the most likely contaminated items first and keeping clean skin away from surfaces that could harbor pathogens. Start with gloves because they’re directly in contact with potentially infectious material; taking them off first reduces the chance of transferring germs to your hands or clothing as you continue removing the rest. Next, eye protection is removed to guard the mucous membranes from any droplets that may have reached the face, handling it by the straps so you don’t touch the contaminated front. Then the gown is removed to prevent the outside contaminated surface from contacting your clothes or skin, typically by turning it away from the body as you peel it off. The mask is taken off next, again avoiding touching the front where droplets may be present and handling it by the ties or elastics. Finally, hand hygiene is performed to wash away any remaining contaminants on your hands after all PPE has been removed. Other sequences risk transferring contamination to clean surfaces or the face during removal.