Why has Personal Protection Equipment Become a Necessity in Healthcare?

By MedTech Outlook | Tuesday, July 07, 2020

The rapid growth of the COVID-19 it is essential that the healthcare providers take better precaution from the infectious disease.

FREMONT, CA: It is a well-known fact that the novel coronavirus is an infectious disease, and it can spread with the help of fomites and droplets. Therefore, healthcare providers must wear PPE so that they can stay protected from contagious diseases. They also have to wear masks because when an infected person coughs, the droplets spread in the atmosphere, affecting them.

However, the asymptomatic or undiagnosed people can also be thereat for the healthcare providers as they might spread the infection in the air unknowingly. Therefore, healthcare departments must take extra care and precautions while protecting themselves.

A healthcare worker must wear a mask because they could inhale the infected person's droplets during breathing. It is necessary to maintain 1 to 2 meters of distance from the patient to decrease the risk and get infected from the droplets.

It can also be a threat for healthcare workers when they touch the infected surfaces, get into direct contact with the body, or touch the patient's belongings and body fluids. It is necessary to properly wash hands after every contact with soap and water or use hand sanitizer as a precautionary movement. Even after wearing hand gloves, it is advisable and according to the guidelines to wash hands and sanitize them.

Here are the different types of personal protective equipment (PPE)

1.Masks:

In the market, there are two types of masks. The N95 respiratory and the ripple layer surgical masks. These masks are the best that can be used as a precautionary item for COVID-19. The triple layer masks have three layers of fabric and is water-resistant. On the other hand, the N95 respiration masks is better for particulate filtration as it fits tightly on the face.

2. Face shield and goggles

This is used for protecting the healthcare providers from mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, and mouth. It will also prevent from touching those areas with contaminated fingers.

3. Gloves

The hands can get contaminated from touching the infected surfaces due to which they have to wear gloves.

4. Gowns

It is also necessary to protect the entire body, and for that, the gown is required. The workers wear these gowns when there are near patients.

5. Shoe covers, and headcovers

When the airborne droplets settle down, they can get attached to the shoes or head.