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Personal Protective Equipment

PPE is the key to keeping ourselves and our families safe - They must always remain your NUMBER 1 priority!

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D for Danger comes before A for Airway (DR ABC) - Check the patient's COVID status and make sure you take your time to don your PPE correctly first, even if a patient with COVID has arrested in front of you.

  • Donning correctly is essential to ensure you're safe every time you walk into a patient's room

  • Doffing correctly is essential to prevent self-contamination

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Please ensure you keep yourself up-to-date with the latest WH PPE guidelines​ - https://coronavirus.wh.org.au/

They are constantly being reviewed and updated

  • Any patient with known or suspected COVID-19 requires contact and droplet precautions

    • Long-sleeve yellow gown, surgical mask, gloves, eye protection​

  • Specific hospital-area guidelines will also apply

  • Any aerosol generating procedures require N95 masks

    • A non-exhaustive list includes:​

      • Endotracheal intubation​

      • Non-invasive ventilation

      • High-flow nasal prong therapy

      • CPR

      • Bag-mask ventilation

      • Bronchoscopy

      • Tracheostomy

Donning

Donning of PPE should be performed under supervision of a spotter and checked prior to entry into a COVID19 patient room

This applies to all clinical scenarios, including imminent deterioration or arrest

If using a N95 mask, a fit test should always be performed

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How to fit an N95 Mask
Doffing

Most health worker self-contamination occurs with the doffing of PPE

A spotter should supervise doffing to ensure no contamination

The gown must be rolled inwards to ensure the dirty side does not touch your arms or clothes

Removal of the mask may be difficult and care must be taken to ensure it is removed without touching your face or chest

Managing PPE with a  Deteriorating Patient

Author: Kirsty O'Keefe  Peer Reviewer: Irma Bilgrami  Date: 20/03/20

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