Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to prevent direct exposure to potential infection. Examples include gloves (if there is blood/OPIM), gown (if it drips), face mask (if it splashes). Ask your supervisor to show you the location of the PPE in your work area and in Minor Surgery. All employees using PPE must observe the following precautions:

  • Wash hands immediately or as soon as feasible after removal of gloves or other PPE.
  • Remove PPE after it becomes contaminated, and before leaving the work area.
  • Used PPE may be disposed of in designated containers located in work areas where the task is being performed. 
  • Wear appropriate gloves when it can be reasonably anticipated that there may be hand contact with blood or OPIM, and when handling or touching contaminated items or surfaces. Replace gloves if torn, punctured, contaminated, or if their ability to function as a barrier is compromised.
  • Utility gloves may be decontaminated for reuse if their integrity is not compromised; discard utility gloves if they show signs of cracking, peeling, tearing, puncturing, or deterioration.
  • Never wash or decontaminate disposable gloves for reuse.
  • Wear appropriate face and eye protection when splashes, sprays, spatters, or droplets of blood or OPIM pose a hazard to the eye, nose, or mouth.
  • Remove immediately or as soon as feasible any garment contaminated by blood or OPIM, in such a way as to avoid contact with the outer surface.

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Guidelines for using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) include: