Indications for the use of PPE depend on facility protocol and the treatment provided.

When determined that it is needed, the healthcare provider must don the PPE of choice before coming onto the scene or having contact with the patient. The provider puts PPE on in the following order: gown, shoe covers, mask, goggles or face shield, cap, and then gloves. Gloves are put on last to limit the transmission of pathogens via the hands, which are the most likely to come in contact with the patient. 

When interventions with the patient are complete, the PPE is removed once outside the room. It should be removed in the following order: gloves, cap, face shield, goggles, gown, shoe covers, and, lastly, mask. 

The cap, face shield, goggles, gown, shoe covers, and mask are contaminated. Alcohol-based hand hygiene must be done as the items are removed. The front of the mask must not be touched. The mask should be removed by pulling from the ties or elastic straps. 

The procedure for appropriately removing used gloves is as follows:

1. With one hand, pinch the outside edge of the glove on the other hand at the wrist.
2. Peel downwards, folding the glove over and turning it inside-out.
3. Pull the glove away until you remove it from the hand.
4. Continue holding the inside-out glove with the gloved hand.
5. Slip two fingers of the ungloved hand under the wrist of the remaining glove from the inside, being careful not to touch the outer surface of the glove.
6. Peel downwards, turning that glove inside-out while still holding the first glove.
7. Continue to pull the glove down and over the first glove.
8. Discard the gloves in a biohazard waste receptacle or temporarily in a red plastic bag and seal it until it is ready to be thrown into a biohazard waste bin.
9. Wash hands using the appropriate technique.

Procedure for Removing Gloves Safely

Everyone in the workplace should recognize the biohazard symbol and understand that all contaminated materials need to be disposed of appropriately in specially designated biohazard bins, receptacles, or bags (not ever in the regular trash bins):

Biohazard Symbol