Respirator or Facemask (Cloth face coverings are NOT PPE and should not be worn for the care of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 or other situations where use of a respirator or facemask is recommended.)
Put on an N95 respirator (or equivalent or higher-level respirator) or facemask (if a respirator is not available) before entry into the patient room or care area, if not already wearing one as part of extended use strategies to optimize PPE supply. Other respirators include other disposable filtering facepiece respirators, powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs), or elastomeric respirators.
N95 respirators or respirators that offer a higher level of protection should be used instead of a facemask when performing or present for an aerosol generating procedure. See appendix for respirator definition.
Disposable respirators and facemasks should be removed and discarded after exiting the patient’s room or care area and closing the door unless implementing extended use or reuse. Perform hand hygiene after removing the respirator or facemask.
If reusable respirators (e.g., powered air-purifying respirators [PAPRs] or elastomeric respirators) are used, they should also be removed after exiting the patient’s room or care area. They must be cleaned and disinfected according to manufacturer’s reprocessing instructions prior to re-use.
When the supply chain is restored, facilities with a respiratory protection program should return to use of respirators for patients with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Those that do not currently have a respiratory protection program, but care for patients with pathogens for which a respirator is recommended, should implement a respiratory protection program.
Eye Protection
Put on eye protection (i.e., goggles or a disposable face shield that covers the front and sides of the face) upon entry to the patient room or care area, if not already wearing as part of extended use strategies to optimize PPE supply.
Personal eyeglasses and contact lenses are NOT considered adequate eye protection.
Ensure that eye protection is compatible with the respirator so there is not interference with proper positioning of the eye protection or with the fit or seal of the respirator.
Remove eye protection after leaving the patient room or care area, unless implementing extended use.
Reusable eye protection (e.g., goggles) must be cleaned and disinfected according to manufacturer’s reprocessing instructions prior to re-use. Disposable eye protection should be discarded after use unless following protocols for extended use or reuse.
Gloves
Put on clean, non-sterile gloves upon entry into the patient room or care area.
Change gloves if they become torn or heavily contaminated.
Remove and discard gloves before leaving the patient room or care area, and immediately perform hand hygiene.
Gowns
Put on a clean isolation gown upon entry into the patient room or area. Change the gown if it becomes soiled. Remove and discard the gown in a dedicated container for waste or linen before leaving the patient room or care area. Disposable gowns should be discarded after use. Cloth gowns should be laundered after each use.
