Donning and Doffing

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a protective clothing and other items worn by an individual to protect mucous membranes, airways, skin, and clothing from contact with infectious substances
• The masks prevent the transmission of infectious agents through the air. It should cover both the nose and mouth and worn only ONCE then discarded in an appropriate container.
• Respirators- NIOSH-approved N95 respirators are required when entering rooms of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and other diseases with airborne transmission.
• Clean, non sterile gloves are worn when collecting or handling blood and other body fluids, handling contaminated items, and touching nonintact skin or mucous membranes.
• Gloves are worn due to the following reasons:

  1. It prevents the medical technologists from transmitting their own microbiota to the patient,
  2. It prevents transmission of microorganisms from one patient to another; and
  3. It prevents the laboratory scientists or medical technologists from being infected by organisms from the patient.
• Laboratory gowns are worn when soiling of clothes is possible while working in the laboratory or extracting blood from patients.
• Laboratory gowns should be fluid-resistant to prevent any blood or body fluids from soaking through and getting on the medical technologist.
• Hand hygiene must be performed before putting on PPE.
• Proper Donning:

  1. Shoes
  2. Mask
  3. Cap
  4. Gown
  5. Gloves
• Place removed accessories away from the sink and store them inside the bag or locker.
• Pull long hair up under the cap.
• Masks are no longer effective once they become moist from breathing.
• Gloves should be pulled over the cuffs of gowns or lab coats to provide adequate protection.
• Gloves after usage should be removed properly to avoid contamination of the laboratory scientist or medical technologist. This will also decrease the transfer of organisms from a source to susceptible host.
• Doffing means removing PPE in a way that avoids self-contamination.
• Doffing must be performed in a designated area, using an organized procedure that contains removal steps that must be followed in a very specific order to ensure protection and prevent cross-contamination.
• Remove PPE before entering any non-clinical areas including restrooms, breakrooms, and administrative areas.
• Always wash hands with soap and water before wearing and after removal of PPE.
• Keep hands away from face.
• Proper Doffing:

  1. Gloves
  2. Mask
  3. Gown
  4. Cap
  5. Shoes