When you work in any healthcare job, from surgeon to hospital cleaner, you must have the correct protective equipment. Your work environment could be dangerous, affecting your health and well-being.
When it comes to protective gear, you probably think first of face masks and gloves. But where homecare and occupational safety vary, respiratory protective equipment, or RPE, is vital for both. We’re going to take a look at all the different forms of medical PPE gear and how they help you, as a worker, keep safe in your environment.
Masks
Face masks are one of the most essential PPE gear. They are typically used to protect the wearer from exposure to airborne particles, bacteria, and viruses.
Face masks are available in a variety of materials, including paper, cloth, and plastic. You can find them in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some face masks even have built-in filters.
Gloves
Gloves protect against the transfer of germs and body fluids and help to keep hands clean. It is important to choose the right type of glove for the task at hand, as there are different types of gloves made for different purposes.
For example, exam gloves are made for examining patients while surgical gloves are made for performing surgery. You should also use gloves when you handle and buy some syringes to avoid accidentally getting punctured or getting bodily fluids on your skin.
When selecting gloves, it is also important to choose the right size, as gloves that are too small can be difficult to work with, and gloves that are too large can fall off.
Gowns
There are several different types of gowns available to medical personnel, and the particular type will be dictated by the infection control team.
Gowns can be either disposable or reusable and are made of either polyester or polypropylene. The gowns must fit snugly at the neck and wrists and cover the body from the shoulders to the knees.
When removing a gown, it is important to first remove any gloves and then untie the gown from the back. You should roll up the gown, with the contaminated side facing in, and dispose of it properly.
Face Shields
Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, is vital for medical professionals to wear to keep themselves and their patients safe.
One type of PPE is a face shield, which is a clear plastic shield that covers the wearer’s entire face. Face shields protect from splash and droplet exposure and are an important barrier to help prevent the spread of infection.
Wearing a face shield, along with other PPE such as gloves, gowns, and masks can help protect medical professionals from becoming infected with the viruses they are treating.
Booties
There are several items of essential medical PPE supplies that are often overlooked but are just as important. One of these is booties.
Booties are essential for protecting your feet from bodily fluids and other contaminants that you may come into contact with during a medical procedure. They also help to keep your feet warm and dry, which is important for preventing infection.
Medical PPE Gear For Your Safety
There is some essential medical PPE gear that everyone should have on hand. This gear can help protect you from getting sick, and it can also help protect others if you’re the one who’s sick.
So, make sure you have the following items on hand: a face mask, gloves, and sanitizer. And if you don’t have them already, get them!
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