Protecting Yourself with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) serves as an important barrier against transmission of harmful pathogens. To be effective, PPE must be worn properly, removed with care, and tailored to the specific risks of different pathogens and patient conditions. This page provides easy access to featured resources for healthcare workers on the correct use of PPE—including safe donning and doffing techniques, proper behavior while wearing it, and decontamination procedures—to ensure their safety and that of their patients.

New Resources

Printable item - VHF PPE Matrix

A 3-page printable document that provides information on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Precautions, and PPE selection for High-Consequence Infectious Diseases.

Non-PAPR Dry and Suspect VHF Donning and Doffing Graphic

This provides step-by-step guidance for donning and doffing the PPE ensemble when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed VHF and can be used to train health care workers.

This provides guidance for donning and doffing the PPE ensemble when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed Andes hantavirus and can be used to train health care workers.

Frequently Requested

Blog Post - PPE Breaches

This NETEC blog post discusses PPE breaches and identifying and mitigating risks.

Additional content on this topic can be found in this 1-hour NETEC podcast: NETEC Guidance on Breach of PPE.

Web-based tool - DASH Web Tool

The DASH Tool is a web-based tool, designed by ASPR TRACIE, to support PPE planning in healthcare facilities.

Additional content on the DASH Tool may be found in the 1-hour NETEC webinar: Estimating PPE Needs: Using the DASH Tool for Special Pathogen Readiness.

Printable item - Know Your PPE
Printable

Know Your PPE

This 30-page printable guide covers the PPE pieces and ensembles used in the care of patients who have, or may have, a high-consequence infectious disease (HCID).

Printable item - VHF PPE Matrix

A 3-page printable document that provides information on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Precautions, and PPE selection for High-Consequence Infectious Diseases.

Donning and Doffing

Printable item - Space Recommendations for Donning and Doffing PPE in BCU Areas

An 8-page document whose purpose is to provide a general reference guide for safe donning and doffing spaces.

Printable item - How to Safelty Doff Single Layer Gloves
Printable

Doffing Gloves

A 1-page visual guide on how to safely remove a single layer of gloves.

Publication - Human Factors Risk Analyses

This publication discusses how Ebola-level PPE can both protect and put HCWs at risk for self-contamination throughout the doffing process.

Non-PAPR Dry and Suspect VHF Donning and Doffing Graphic

This provides step-by-step guidance for donning and doffing the PPE ensemble when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed VHF and can be used to train health care workers.

Basics

Video - Be Smart Be Safe

This is a 2-minute visual animation of best practices for safe PPE use.

Podcast - Back to Basics VHFs

A 25-minute podcast on the basics of viral hemorrhagic fevers and personal protective equipment.

Podcast - Back to Basics PPE and Mpox

A 22-minute podcast on the basics of PPE for mpox, including best practices, tips, and tricks to help healthcare workers.

Podcast - PPE in LTC

A 15-minute podcast on the timeliness and importance of NETEC’s PPE resource for Long-Term Care.

Regulatory Guidance

Thumbnail of a person in PPE

A 1-hour webinar on The Joint Commission (TJC) requirements for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Additional content on the new TJC requirements may be found in the 44-minute NETEC podcast: The new Joint Commission Standards, PPE, and Me podcast.

Blog Post - Barrier Protection

This blog post recaps the recent updates to liquid barrier protection standards for PPE to help health care personnel make informed decisions about the PPE in their facilities.

Additional content related to this topic can be found in the 1-hour webinar: PPE from A to Z: Exploring the Latest Standards and Regulations for Health Care Personnel.

Ask the Experts

Have a question about special pathogens PPE? Contact us! Email: info@netec.org.

Ebola: NETEC has compiled clinical guidance, preparedness resources, and educational materials related to ebola to support healthcare professionals and healthcare teams seeking reliable, evidence-informed information.
Access the resource library here.

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