Full transcript
0:05As a medical assistant, personal
0:07protective equipment or PPE is one of
0:10your most important tools for
0:11protection. It's a core element of
0:13standard and universal precautions and
0:16acts as a barrier between infectious
0:18materials and vulnerable parts of your
0:20body such as your eyes, nose, mouth, and
0:23skin. Before you start, remember your
0:26basis for selection. Look at the task
0:28and the possible hazards to choose the
0:30right protection level. If you'll be
0:33touching something, wear gloves. If
0:35there are aerosol risks, wear eye
0:37protection and a mask. Understanding
0:40potential exposure routes allows you to
0:42choose the appropriate level of
0:43protection every time. OSHA requires
0:46employees to be trained on how to
0:48properly dawn, adjust, and doth PPE
0:52before using it in a clinical
0:53environment.
0:55First, let's start with dawning or
0:57putting it on. The sequence is crucial
1:00to ensure full coverage and to avoid
1:03contaminating clean surfaces.
1:05Gown. Secure it fully at the neck and
1:08waist. Check that the cuffs are snug and
1:11will allow your gloves to be pulled over
1:12them, creating a sealed barrier.
1:16Mask or respirator fitted snugly around
1:19the nose and mouth. For respirators like
1:21N95s, OSHA requires fit testing. Perform
1:25a seal check by inhaling and exhaling.
1:28If you feel air escaping around the
1:29edges, readjust until the seal is tight.
1:33Eye protection. Goggles or a face shield
1:36should be placed carefully so they don't
1:38interfere with your mask. Check that
1:41they fully cover the front and sides of
1:43your eyes.
1:44Gloves. Put them over the cuffs of your
1:47gown to create a complete protective
1:49seal. Make sure they fit snugly but
1:52comfortably.
1:54Gloves that are too tight can tear and
1:56gloves that are too loose can reduce
1:58dexterity.
2:00During care, try not to touch or adjust
2:02your PPE. If you need to adjust your PPE
2:05for any reason, for example, if your
2:07goggles begin to slip or gloves shift or
2:11your mask loosens, follow these
2:13guidelines.
2:15Always treat the outer surface as
2:17contaminated.
2:19That means you should avoid touching the
2:20front of your masks, the outside of your
2:22gloves, or the front of your gown unless
2:25absolutely necessary. To adjust a mask
2:28or respirator, do not touch the front
2:30panel. Instead, secure it using the ear
2:33loop or straps only. To adjust eye
2:36protection, adjust them using the
2:38cleanest contact points, such as the
2:40side arms or the headband, rather than
2:43the front surface.
2:45To adjust gloves, stop the procedure
2:48when safe. Remove the glove properly,
2:51perform hand hygiene, and put on a new
2:53pair.
2:55Finally, let's talk about dooughing or
2:58removing PPE. This is the riskiest step.
3:01The goal is to avoid touching anything
3:03contaminated. Remove the glove of your
3:06non-dominant hand first, following the
3:08beginning of the glovein glove technique
3:10by turning it inside out and keeping it
3:13held in your still gloved hand.
3:16With your still gloved hand, remove the
3:18gown, breaking the ties and rolling it
3:20away from your body. Then remove your
3:23second glove and then perform hand
3:25hygiene immediately.
3:28Remove eye protection, touching only the
3:30headband or earpieces. Remove your mask
3:33or respirator, handling it only by the
3:36straps or ear loops. Safely dispose of
3:39your used PPE in a red biohazard bag or
3:42another safe disposal method.
3:45Perform hand hygiene again after all PPE
3:47is removed. If your hands are visibly
3:50soiled, you must wash them with soap and
3:52water following proper handashing
3:54protocol. If they are not visibly
3:56soiled, you may use an alcohol-based
3:59hand sanitizer.
4:01This process should be practiced until
4:02it becomes second nature. It's also
4:05essential to understand the limitations
4:07of PPE. No piece of equipment provides
4:10absolute protection.
4:12Poor fit, incorrect removal, or damaged
4:15materials can all reduce the
4:16effectiveness of your PPE. Your employer
4:19must ensure you can demonstrate proper
4:22use before you're allowed to perform
4:24duties requiring protection. By
4:26consistently following OSHA guidelines
4:28for selecting, using, maintaining, and
4:31disposing of PPE, you help create a safe
4:34and compliant clinical environment. PPE
4:37is more than equipment. It's a critical
4:40part of your professional responsibility
4:41and your safety.