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Using PPE During Your Home Visits

By June 17, 2020Memos

What equipment am I required to wear on home visits?

  • For all client visits, PSWs are required to wear:
    • Gloves
    • Surgical or procedure mask
    • Goggles or face shield
    • Please note that homemade masks are not approved for use while providing client care

Putting On and Taking Off PPE

How to Put On PPE (Donning)

  1. Perform hand hygiene (wash/clean your hands)
  2. Put on shoe covers (if needed)
  3. Put on gown
  4. Put on mask
  5. Put on goggles/face shield
  6. Put on gloves

Taking Off PPE (Doffing)

  1. Remove shoe covers (if you had them on)
  2. Remove gloves
  3. Remove gown
  4. Perform hand hygiene
  5. Remove goggles/face shield
  6. Remove mask
  7. Perform hand hygiene again

How to Put on PPE – A Video

Guidelines for the Use of Masks

  • Continue to maintain physical distance of at least 2m/6ft when possible
  • Due to supply limitations, mask can be worn for many different client visits if not visibly soiled, wet or damaged
  • Masks that are being reused can be stored in a paper bag or envelope between use, paper bag/envelope must be discarded after each use (don’t put your mask in a plastic bag)
  • Don’t put more than 1 mask in the same paper bag/envelope. (Note: Unused masks can be stored together, but do not mix with used masks).
  • Hand hygiene must be performed before putting on and after removing or handling a mask
  • Do not pull your mask down and wear it below your chin
  • Avoid touching front of mask while wearing it

Guidelines for Proper Glove Use

  • Gloves are task specific and single use for that task
  • Gloves must be removed and discarded immediately after task is complete
  • Hand hygiene must be performed before putting on and after removing gloves
  • Gloves should not have tears or other defects when being used
  • Wearing gloves is not a substitute for hand hygiene
  • Do not double glove (that is, do not wear two pairs of gloves on top of each other)
  • Do not use hand sanitizer on gloves
  • Do not wash gloves with soap and water

How to Remove Gloves After Use

Safety googles and blue latex gloves

Guidelines for Protective Eyewear

  • You should be wearing either goggles OR a face shield during all your visits.
  • If you are wearing goggles, they must fit snuggly from the corners of the eyes across the brow
  • If you are wearing a face shield, it should have forehead and chin protection and wrap around the face to the point of the ear to protect against sprays, splashes and respiratory droplets
  • Goggles or face shield can be worn over prescription glasses
  • Prescription and safety glasses do not offer same protection as goggles/face shield and should not be worn for infection control purposes
  • Avoid touching the front and sides of protective eyewear as these are the surfaces most likely to become contaminated by sprays, splashes, or droplets during patient care
  • Protective eyewear can be reused between clients
  • You must clean your goggles/face shield with soap and water or sanitizing wipes after each use
  • Protective eyewear should not be shared with coworkers