Personal Protective Equipment in the Healthcare Environment

PPE

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

The objective of this study is to review an article relating to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Toward this end this study will review the work of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention entitled "Guidance for the Selection and Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Healthcare Settings' published in 2014.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Personal protective equipment (PPE) is defined by the Occupational Health Administration (OSHA) as "specialized clothing or equipment, worn by an employee for protection against infectious materials." (p. 5)

OSHA Regulations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reported to issue recommendations for "when and what PPE should be used to prevent exposure to infectious diseases." (p. 6) Healthcare personnel protection from exposure to diseases in the workplace is reported to make a requirement of "a combination of controls, one of which is the use of PPE." (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014, p. 7) It is reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that the types of PPE used in the healthcare setting include: (1) gloves for hand protection; (2) gowns and aprons to protect skin and clothing; (3) mask and respirators to protect the mouth and nose from airborne infectious diseases; (4) goggles to protect the eyes; and (5) face shields to protect the face, mouth, nose and eyes. (2014, p. 8) It is reported that these types of PPE protect the individual from "infectious agents, or body flood that may contain infectious agents." (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014, p. 8)

II. Choosing PPE

There are three primary considerations for the choice of personal protective equipment including: (1) the anticipated exposure; (2) durability and appropriateness of PPE for the task; and (3) fit. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014, p. 39)

III. PPE for Standard Precautions

It is reported that Personal Protective Equipment for Standard Precautions includes:

(1) Gloves -- for use when touching "blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, contaminated items; for touching mucus membranes and nonintact skin (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014, p. 39)