PRINCIPLES OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE 2-LABORATORY

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

 NITRILE
- consists of barriers and respirators used o No latex and powder-free
alone or in combination to protect skin, o Highly level of touch
mucous membranes, and clothing from sensitivity
contact with infectious agents. o Good for wearing for an
extended amount of time
a. Gloves o Work well for high risks
b. Fluid-resistant gowns situations involving infectious
c. Masks and respirators materials
d. Face shields o Mold to your hand for a good
e. Goggles fit -mot puncture resistance
f. Shoe covers o Resist mane chemicals
Advantages: o Have a long shelf life
-cheap  VINYL
-easy to procure o No latex
Disadvantages: o Have a looser fit
- Does not remove the risk o Good for short term, low risk
- Simply makes a barrier between you and the tasks
organism o Most economic option
o Have anti-static properties
GLOVES o Best for use with non-
- Phlebotomists should always wear gloves hazardous materials
during blood collection and when handling o Lightly powdered for easy
specimen. Gloves are worn
donning
- clean, non-sterile gloves are worn:
 When collecting or handling blood and TAKE NOTE!
other body fluids – Do not reuse gloves
 Handling contaminated items – Do not wear gloves outside the
 Touching non-intact skin or mucous laboratory
membranes
– Wash hands after removing gloves
 Worn to prevent contamination of the
hands and reduce chances of LABORATORY GOWN
transmission of microorganisms from - Clean, non-sterile
personnel to patients. - Fluid resistance gowns
 Wear disposable vinyl, synthetic or N- - Made of disposable cloth or paper
DEX nitrile gloves when working with - Generous in size to adequately cover
biohazardous materials clothing
 Avoid latex gloves (may cause allergies) - Have long sleeves with knit cuffs, and fasten
 Replace torn, soiled, or damaged gloves in the back
immediately - Cloth gown may be work to prevent
TYPES OF GLOVES: contamination of skin and clothing with
 LATEX transmissible infectious microorganisms
o Fit like a second skin when protection from fluid penetration is
not necessary.
o Highly level of touch
sensitivity TAKE NOTE!
o Good for wearing for an  Lab coats and gowns are used to protect
extended amount of time from infectious fluids.
o Cost-effective  Front button cotton lab coats may not be
o Lightly powdered for easy appropriate for working with large amount
donning of infectious liquids.
o Biodegradable
  Rear fastening gowns may be appropriate
for working at higher containment
 Cuffed sleeves can protect the wrists and
lower arms
 Don’t wear lab coats outside of the
laboratory or take them home!!
MASK, FACE SHIELD AND GOGGLES
- worn to protect the eyes, nose, and mouth
from splashes or sprays of body fluids
o MASK
o Mask is worn to protect against
droplets generated by coughing or
sneezing
Additional Information
o When the colored portion the mask is
exposed, you are protecting yourself
from infection. However, if the white
portion is the one exposed then that
means that you are protecting others
from being infected because might be a
carrier of a disease.
o FACE SHIELD
o can prevent droplets or spatters
from contacting non-intact skin of
the face. In some models, the shield
can be flipped up out of the way, if
necessary
o GOGGLES  - The PPE is kept clean and is worn to
o goggles and mask or face shield must
be work during procedures that may
generate splashes of blood and or
body excretions or secretions
o RESPIRATORS
o NIOSH- approved N95 respirators
o When entering rooms of patients
with pulmonary tuberculosis and
other diseases with airborne
transmission
o Must fit snugly with no air leaks
o Respiratory protection program is
necessary to ensure safe and proper
use
o Two types: air supplying and air
purifying
o Full face, half face, PARR (powdered
air purifying respirator)
o Special considerations: fit testing,
facial hair, comfort, care and
maintenance
o Surgical mask are not respirators
(look for N95)
 N95
 The ‘N95’ designation
means that when
subjected to careful
testing, the respirator
blocks at least 95
percent of very small
(0.3 micron) test
particles
SHOE COVER
- can protect your shoes and feet from spills
of biohazardous materials or chemicals
- Shoes that are not protected by shoe covers
and that cannot be appropriately disinfected
of after a spill 
- Open toed shoes, sandals and other open
footwear should be prohibited
- Shorts and other garments that leave skin
unprotected are not appropriate
DONNING, DOFFING, STORAGE AND DISPOSAL
- The order of removal is important to
prevent contamination of your skin and
clothing. Except for the respirator, your PPE
should be removed at the doorway, before
leaving the patients room, or in the
anteroom
DONNING AND DOFFING OF PPE
protect the healthcare worker from
splashes of blood and specimen during
the patient-care activities. It includes the
laboratory gown or coat, face mask, and
gloves. These items are removed at the
anteroom or before leaving the room of
the patient in an aseptic, sterile, and
pathogen-free way to avoid
contamination. Nowadays, disposable
PPE is also available in the market.
Donning of PPE
1. Gown should be put on first. Make sure
that it is fastened, and the belt is tied.
2. Mask should cover both the nose and
mouth.
3. Gloves should be pulled over the gown
cuff.
Doffing of PPE
 1. Gloves are removed first. The
contaminated areas should not be
touched with ungloved hands.
2. Gown should be pulled from the
shoulders towards the hand, so it is
turned inside out.
3. Mask should be removed by only
touching the string.
Note: Wash hands immediately after
removal of the PPE
DONNING AND DOFFING OF GLOVES

- Outside of gloves is contaminated!!

o Check the YouTube links posted in
our google classroom or use the links
below for doffing and donning of
PPE
Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4jqubalbri
Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqxoc13dxvq
PPE SELECTION
What are some of the key considerations when
thinking about what PPE is appropriate?
- Consider routes of infection and routes of
exposure
- Consider what the PPE is protecting
- Consider the limitations for use of the types
of PPE
- Consider how and where the PPE should be
donned and doffed
SUMMARY
- PPE is one of the key controls to migrate bio
risks but is at the last level in the “Hierarchy
of controls” for several reasons
- There are many types/kinds of PPE with
various advantages and limitations
- It is important to plan the order of donning
and doffing PPE and follow the plan to
reduce risk
REFERENCES:
 Global Bio risk Management Curriculum
 WHO Guidelines on PPE
 NTCBB Training Modules