What is the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during care?

What is the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during care?

• A. PPE is optional if the patient seems well.
• B. Reuse PPE across multiple patients without sanitization.
• C. Wear required PPE, follow care protocols, and dispose of or sanitize gear after use.
• D. Wear PPE only when instructed by a supervisor in writing.

Answer: (C)

Protecting both you and the patient relies on using PPE correctly. Wear the required PPE for the care task according to your facility’s protocols, and dispose of single-use items or sanitize reusable gear after each use. Follow proper donning and doffing procedures and perform hand hygiene before putting on PPE and after removing it to prevent contamination. PPE is a standard precaution, not optional, and you should not reuse gear between patients. Discard or sanitize items as the policy directs. It isn’t something you wait for in writing from a supervisor—the expectation is to use PPE as part of routine care.

Protecting both you and the patient relies on using PPE correctly. Wear the required PPE for the care task according to your facility’s protocols, and dispose of single-use items or sanitize reusable gear after each use. Follow proper donning and doffing procedures and perform hand hygiene before putting on PPE and after removing it to prevent contamination. PPE is a standard precaution, not optional, and you should not reuse gear between patients. Discard or sanitize items as the policy directs. It isn’t something you wait for in writing from a supervisor—the expectation is to use PPE as part of routine care.