PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

“Specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against infectious materials”

How Can I Select PPE?

ICC HEEPF ICEP

PPE selected for use should:Protect HCP clothing and skin from

contamination by blood and body fluids.Protect patients from acquiring

microorganisms from HCP. 

What are the types of PPE?

GlovesGowns and apronsMaskEye gogglesOverheadFoot protection ???

Types of Gloves

Sterile GlovesNon-sterile Gloves.Heavy-duty Gloves.

Sterile Gloves

Disposable, individually wrapped.

They are mostly used during surgery and during performing invasive procedures.

Non- Sterile Gloves

Disposable, single use, usually not singly wrapped.

They are mostly used to protect skin against exposure to blood and body fluids

(e.g. when changing dressing and handling specimens).

Heavy – Duty Glovesreusable after decontamination

Used for: Handling medical waste Performing environmental

cleaning

Aprons and Gowns

Used during procedures that generate splashes of blood or body fluids.

Apron Gown

Eye Goggles

Used for protection against splashes of blood or

body fluids (eg. during certain surgical procedures).

Overhead

Used to contain hair during surgical procedures

MasksPlaced over nose, mouth and

chin

Standard mask Used when there is risk of

exposure to droplets containing infectious agents

N95 masksUsed when there is risk of

exposure to airborne infectious agents such as M. tuberculosis (prevent >95% of particles less than 1 micron).

Closed Foot WearIn operating theatre

Over-shoes

“NOT RECOMMENDED”

Ideal way of transferringmicro-organisms from floor and shoes to the hand.

What’s WRONG ?????

Safety in the laboratory

The laboratory safety procedures must be read prior to attending the laboratory session.

WHY??

Important in prevention of: Infection Injury by harmful

chemicals Mechanical injury by

glassware, open flames, and sharp objects.

Personal belongings

away from workstation

Wash your hands with soap at the

- start of the laboratory session

- before performing any procedures

- before leaving the laboratory at the end of the session.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used:

o Gloves are essential.

o Lab coats are required.

o Safety glasses ( goggles) may be required to avoid splashes.

Avoid touching objects (e.g., pencils, cell phones, door handles) while wearing gloves.

Long hair must be tied back or covered to minimize fire hazard or contamination of experiments.

Laboratory personnel should not wear sandals

Smoking in the lab is essentially prohibited

Eating and drinking in the laboratory are absolutely prohibited.

All cultures should be handled as potentially pathogenic.

Liquid cultures must always be kept in a test tube rack.

Broth cultures must never be pipetted by mouth.

In case of Blood Spills

Cover with paper towel.

Apply disinfectant.

Leave for 15 minutes.

Remove while wearing gloves.

Discard in a red bag.

Report all accidents, no matter how minor, to your supervisor!!

BE CAREFUL

BE SAFE