Given COVID-19 related PPE shortages, you may be asked to extend the use of or reuse your PPE according to organizational policy.
You may also be provided with a supply of masks to use in the clinical areas. Please ensure that you DO NOT share these with friends or family members, they are intended for your clinical use only.
Ontario Health (2020) has provided guidance on conserving PPE including extended use and reuse of PPE as outlined below. Since there may be variation between organizations, please ensure that you follow local policies and procedures.
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Strategy |
Description |
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Extended use Applicable to the following types of PPE: • N95 respirators (disposable) • Surgical/procedure masks (disposable) • Isolation gowns (disposable and cloth) • Eye protection (disposable and reusable) |
PPE may be used over an extended period of time and over the course of many patients, in settings where it is feasible (e.g., while caring for a cohort of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID19 in an inpatient setting). *Always follow your organizational policy.
Consider the following key principles:
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Layering PPE
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Layering involves wearing more than one piece of PPE at the same time, such as complementary items that provide protection to the same area (e.g., an N95 respirator with a face shield over top) or more than one of the same item (e.g., double gloves)
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Adapted from Ontario Health (2020a, p.12)
Strategy |
Description |
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Limited reuse Applicable to the following types of PPE: • N95 respirators (disposable) • Surgical/procedure masks (disposable) • Cloth isolation gowns • Eye protection (disposable and reusable) |
Limited reuse refers to the practice of using the same PPE item for multiple encounters with patients, but carefully removing it (“doffing”) after each encounter, storing it safely, then putting it back on (“donning”) without disinfecting. *Always follow your organizational policy. Limited reuse of PPE carries a higher risk of self-contamination than with extended use. The feasibility of limited reuse may depend on the health care setting. Limited reuse of PPE, including N95 respirators, is not recommended for when performing an AGMP Consider the following key principles:
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Adapted from Ontario Health (2020a, p.16)