What is the proper order for doffing personal protective equipment (PPE)?

The proper order for doffing personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to ensure safety and prevent contamination. Beginning with gloves is critical, as they are often the most contaminated part of the PPE ensemble. Removing gloves first helps to prevent any pathogens on the gloves from coming into contact with the skin.

After the gloves are discarded, goggles should be removed next. This step is important to minimize the risk of splashes or sprays that could occur during the removal process. Once the goggles are off, the gown can be removed. It is crucial to do this carefully to avoid touching the outer surface, which may be contaminated. Finally, the mask should be the last item taken off. This is important because masks are often used in high-risk environments and can retain pathogens on their surface.

This order is established to reduce the risk of self-contamination and ensures that each piece of PPE is removed in a way that safeguards the wearer’s health. Doffing in this sequence significantly minimizes the transfer of infectious agents that can occur if PPE is removed in a different order.