PPE key principles
Last updated: 30 January 2025 at 16:40
The key principles for PPE usage are:
- You must change gloves/aprons between patients
- You must decontaminate your hands between patients
- Remember to avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes
- COVID-19 is spread predominantly by respiratory droplets, hence surgical masks are appropriate for routine care
- Surgical masks are to be worn by all patients if tolerated, provided this does not compromise care
- Administration of pressurised humidified oxygen and administration of medication via nebulisation are not aerosol generating procedures
- Visors must be used when within two metres of patients, regardless of COVID-19 status
Why the change in infection control precautions?
- New virus, therefore at beginning of outbreak, little was known about route of transmission
- Now established that spread is by respiratory droplets NOT airborne
- Precautions the same as for influenza:
- Surgical masks protect mucous membrane from contamination by large respiratory droplet
- FFP3 still recommended for AGP and need to protect the supply for this purpose
Sessional PPE usage
A session refers to a period of time where a healthcare professional is caring for patients in a clinical setting.
Masks, visors and gowns can be worn for prolonged periods and unlike gloves and an apron, do not need to be changed between patients.
A session ends when the healthcare worker leaves the care setting/exposure environment.
PPE should be disposed of after each session or earlier if it is damaged, soiled or uncomfortable.