Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in healthcare refers to the specialized clothing and equipment that healthcare workers wear to protect themselves and others from the spread of infection and other hazards. PPE is used to reduce the risk of exposure to infectious diseases, hazardous materials, and other risks that healthcare workers may encounter on the job.

Examples of PPE used in healthcare include:

Gloves: These are worn to protect the hands from exposure to infectious materials and other hazards.

Masks: These are worn to protect the nose and mouth from exposure to infectious materials, such as droplets that may contain viruses or bacteria. Goggles or face shields: These are worn to protect the eyes from exposure to infectious materials or other hazards.

Respirators: These are worn to protect the lungs from exposure to infectious materials or other hazards, such as airborne particles.

Gowns or aprons: These are worn to protect the skin and clothing from exposure to infectious materials or other hazards.

Head and foot coverings: These are worn to protect the head and feet from exposure to infectious materials or other hazards.

The selection and use of PPE in healthcare is guided by a hierarchy of controls, which prioritizes the use of engineering and administrative controls to reduce the risk of exposure, before relying on the use of PPE.

It’s important to note that the use of PPE has become even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it helps to prevent the spread of the virus, especially when combined with other infection prevention and control measures. PPE is an essential tool in the fight against the spread of infectious diseases and should be used appropriately and properly to ensure the safety of healthcare workers, patients and the public.