Final answer:
To don PPE correctly, begin with hand hygiene, then don a gown, followed by a mask, eye protection, and finally gloves. Follow all safety protocols, including proper disposal of gloves and decontamination if skin contact occurs with infectious material.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct order for donning Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which is essential for health workers entering an infection zone, is to ensure that you follow a protocol to maintain both safety and hygiene. The general sequence to put on PPE is:
- Wash hands with soap and water, or use a hand sanitizer.
- Put on a protective coat or gown.
- Wear a mask or respirator properly, securing it over the nose and mouth.
- Put on face protection, like goggles or a face shield, to protect the eyes.
- Finally, don gloves that are appropriate for the task, ensuring they cover the cuffs of the gown.
When working with cultures or contaminated specimens, it is important to wear gloves, and dispose of them in a biohazard garbage after work is completed. If any contact with skin occurs, immediate washing with detergent, warm water, and further cleaning with 1 N NaOH or bleach solution is necessary. Contaminated waste and tools must be managed according to safety protocols, involving incineration, autoclaving, and cleaning with a strong basic solution.