Proper Ebola PPE

Ebola Clothing & Protective Equipment (PPE)

The focus of this page is to provide baseline information for the proper use of PPE as it relates to Ebola. We would like to remind everyone that the proper disposal of PPE and other equipment is just as important in protecting others, as is the proper use of PPE is in protecting you. For information regarding the proper disposal of PPE visit: Ebola Doffing & Disposal

Full CDC Instructions for putting on and removing PPE:

Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment To Be Used by Healthcare Workers During Management of Patients with Ebola Virus Disease in U.S. Hospitals, Including Procedures for Putting On (Donning) and Removing (Doffing)

3M FAQ and Product Selection Guide for Ebola Products: 3M PPE for Ebola FAQ

Donning Summary

Donning PPE, PAPR Option – This donning procedure assumes the facility has elected to use PAPRs. An established protocol facilitates training and compliance. Use a trained observer to verify successful compliance with the protocol.

1. Engage Trained Observer: The donning process is conducted under the guidance and supervision of a trained observer, who confirms visually that all PPE is serviceable and has been donned successfully. The trained observer uses a written checklist to confirm each step in donning PPE and can assist with ensuring and verifying the integrity of the ensemble. No exposed skin or hair of the healthcare worker should be visible at the conclusion of the donning process.
2. Remove Personal Clothing and Items: Change into surgical scrubs (or disposable garments) and dedicated washable (plastic or rubber) footwear in a suitable clean area. No personal items (e.g., jewelry, watches, cell phones, pagers, pens) should be brought into patient room.
3. Inspect PPE Prior to Donning: Visually inspect the PPE ensemble to be worn to ensure that it is in serviceable condition, that all required PPE and supplies are available, and that the sizes selected are correct for the healthcare worker. The trained observer reviews the donning sequence with the healthcare worker before the healthcare worker begins the donning process and reads it to the healthcare worker in a step-by-step fashion.
4. Perform Hand Hygiene: Perform hand hygiene with ABHR. When using ABHR, allow hands to dry before moving to next step.
5. Put on Inner Gloves: Put on first pair of gloves.
6. Put on Boot or Shoe Covers.
7. Put on Gown or Coverall: Put on gown or coverall. Ensure gown or coverall is large enough to allow unrestricted freedom of movement. Ensure cuffs of inner gloves are tucked under the sleeve of the gown or coverall
   1. If a PAPR with a self-contained filter and blower unit that is integrated inside the helmet is used, then the belt and battery unit must be put on prior to donning the impermeable gown or coverall so that the belt and battery unit are contained under the gown or coverall.
   2. If a PAPR with external belt-mounted blower is used, then the blower and tubing must be on the outside of gown or coverall to ensure proper airflow.
8. Put on Outer Gloves: Put on second pair of gloves (with extended cuffs). Ensure the cuffs are pulled over the sleeves of the gown or coverall
9. Put on Respirator: Put on PAPR with a full face-shield, helmet, or headpiece
   1. If a PAPR with a self-contained filter and blower unit integrated inside the helmet is used, then a single-use (disposable) hood that extends to the shoulders and fully covers the neck must also be used. Be sure that the hood covers all of the hair and the ears, and that it extends past the neck to the shoulders.
   2. If a PAPR with external belt-mounted blower unit and attached reusable headpiece is used, then a single-use (disposable) hood that extends to the shoulders and fully covers the neck must also be used. Be sure that the hood covers all of the hair and the ears, and that it extends past the neck to the shoulders.
10. Put on Outer Apron (if used): Put on full-body apron to provide additional protection to the front of the body against exposure to body fluids or excrement from the patient.
11. Verify: After completing the donning process, the integrity of the ensemble is verified by the trained observer. The healthcare worker should be comfortable and able to extend the arms, bend at the waist, and go through a range of motions to ensure there is sufficient range of movement while all areas of the body remain covered. A mirror in the room can be useful for the healthcare worker while donning PPE.
12. Disinfect Outer Gloves: Disinfect outer-gloved hands with ABHR. Allow to dry prior to patient contact.

Donning PPE, N95 Respirator Option – This donning procedure assumes the facility has elected to use N95 respirators. An established protocol facilitates training and compliance. Use a trained observer to verify successful compliance with the protocol.

1. Engage Trained Observer: The donning process is conducted under the guidance and supervision of a trained observer who confirms visually that all PPE is serviceable and has been donned successfully. The trained observer will use a written checklist to confirm each step in donning PPE and can assist with ensuring and verifying the integrity of the ensemble. No exposed skin or hair of the healthcare worker should be visible at the conclusion of the donning process.
2. Remove Personal Clothing and Items: Change into surgical scrubs (or disposable garments) and dedicated washable (plastic or rubber) footwear in a suitable, clean area. No personal items (e.g., jewelry, watches, cell phones, pagers, pens) should be brought into patient room.
3. Inspect PPE Prior to Donning: Visually inspect the PPE ensemble to be worn to ensure it is in serviceable condition, all required PPE and supplies are available, and that the sizes selected are correct for the healthcare worker. The trained observer reviews the donning sequence with the healthcare worker before the healthcare worker begins and reads it to the healthcare worker in a step-by-step fashion.
4. Perform Hand Hygiene: Perform hand hygiene with ABHR. When using ABHR, allow hands to dry before moving to next step.
5. Put on Inner Gloves: Put on first pair of gloves.
6. Put on Boot or Shoe Covers.
7. Put on Gown or Coverall: Put on gown or coverall. Ensure gown or coverall is large enough to allow unrestricted freedom of movement. Ensure cuffs of inner gloves are tucked under the sleeve of the gown or coverall.
8. Put on N95 Respirator: Put on N95 respirator. Complete a user seal check.
9. Put on Surgical Hood: Over the N95 respirator, place a surgical hood that covers all of the hair and the ears, and ensure that it extends past the neck to the shoulders. Be certain that hood completely covers the ears and neck.
10. Put on Outer Apron (if used): Put on full-body apron to provide additional protection to the front of the body against exposure to body fluids or excrement from the patient.
11. Put on Outer Gloves: Put on second pair of gloves (with extended cuffs). Ensure the cuffs are pulled over the sleeves of the gown or coverall.
12. Put on Face Shield: Put on full face shield over the N95 respirator and surgical hood to provide additional protection to the front and sides of the face, including skin and eyes.
13. Verify: After completing the donning process, the integrity of the ensemble is verified by the trained observer. The healthcare worker should be comfortable and able to extend the arms, bend at the waist and go through a range of motions to ensure there is sufficient range of movement while all areas of the body remain covered. A mirror in the room can be useful for the healthcare worker while donning PPE.
14. Disinfect Outer Gloves: Disinfect outer-gloved hands with ABHR. Allow to dry prior to patient contact.

Removing (Doffing) and Disposal of Contaminated PPE

Our guide for Disposal of potentially infected equipment can be found here

It is important to understand how the Ebola virus is transmitted when handling anything that has been potentially exposed to any of a patient’s bodily fluids. Procedures for proper use of personal protective equipment go far beyond proper wear of PPE. Ebola is often spread to unsuspecting carriers because they assume others have taken proper measures in identifying and handling soiled clothes, bedding, and PPE. The CDC has composed a Guideline for Isolation Precautions. As part of our commitment to keeping people safe, we have provided a summary below to quickly spread knowledge. However we urge all healthcare professionals and volunteers to read CDC documentation in its entirety before working in the field.