In what order should personal protective equipment (PPE) be removed?

The correct order for removing personal protective equipment (PPE) is designed to minimize the risk of contamination and exposure to potentially hazardous materials. Starting with gloves is crucial because they are the first line of defense against exposure to infectious agents. Removing gloves minimizes the risk of transferring contaminants to the skin or other surfaces.

Next, goggles are removed. This step prevents the possibility of any contaminants present on the goggles from coming into contact with the face or eyes during removal.

After that, the gown should be taken off. The gown may have potentially been in contact with infectious materials, so removing it after gloves and goggles further decreases the risk of contamination during the donning and doffing of PPE.

Finally, the mask is removed. This step is last to ensure that if any respiratory droplets were present on the mask, there is minimal chance of exposure as it is removed at the end of the procedure.

This order of removal is critical for maintaining safety protocols in a healthcare setting, ensuring that any contaminants are contained and that the caregiver remains protected.