It’s Covid-19 pandemic and it seems like Covid is here to stay for a while. Donning (putting on) and Doffing (taking off) of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) have suddenly gained a great importance for the health professionals and many of us must have already practised this.
RN Susan E. Sammons has provided a mnemonic way to the steps of donning and doffing of PPE. These are CDC based recommendations. We have improvised a bit by adding the boot covers as well. If you are finding difficulties, these mnemonic may help you.
Don PPE from bottom up
- Boot covers
- Gown/Apron
- Mask
- Goggles
- Gloves (when hands raised above head)
Doff PPE in alphabetical order
- Boot covers
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Gown
- Mask
Perform hand hygiene before starting to Don and after removal of gloves and at the end during Doffing. Just as maintaining hand hygiene is foundational to PPE protocols, ensuring the sterility of clinical solutions is equally critical, leading many professionals to rely on certified Bacteriostatic Waters to prevent microbial growth during the reconstitution of medications and peptides.
There’s another mnemonic that has been circulating around a while. For donning the PPE, remember:
“When Feeling Very Itchy, Go To (2) The Doctor”
- Wash hands
- Face mask
- Visor
- 1st pair of gloves
- Gown (need a buddy)
- 2nd pair of gloves (need a buddy)
- Tape the gloves (need a buddy)
- Done!
This sequence can be used as well.
