Personal Protective Equipment

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The Infection Control Today® personal protective equipment page offers written and video content on the proper use and—during the time of COVID-19 surges—reuse of PPE, including masks, respirators, gloves, gowns, face shields, goggles, and more. What are the proper donning and doffing methods? How long can PPE be extended? How are these items decontaminated? What comprises proper fit testing? Our experts will tell you.

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CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures

July 11th 2025

With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.

The Clean Bite
Why You Should Always Ask About Sterilization at the Dentist

July 7th 2025

The Clean Bite
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Dental Professionals: A Layered Defense

July 1st 2025

Jill Holdsworth, CIC, FAPIC, NREMT, CRCST, CHL; and Katie Belski, BSHCA, CRCST, CHL, CIS, CER, At HSPA25
Getting Down and Dirty With PPE: Presentations at HSPA by Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski

June 26th 2025

Spring Into Safety: How Seasonal Deep Cleaning Strengthens Hospital  Infection Control  Cover of May/June 2025 of Infection Control Today  (Adobe Stock)
Spring Into Safety: How Seasonal Deep Cleaning Strengthens Hospital Infection Control

June 13th 2025

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Proper Glove Use in the Prep Area of the SPD

February 16th 2016

Q: Are we allowed to use latex gloves in the decontamination area?  Is there any documentation in AAMI or OSHA that dictates the use of latex gloves in the decontamination area? Secondly, are we allowed to wear gloves in the sterile prep area while putting together trays?A:  According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administrations’ Blood Borne Pathogen Ruling (2001), “Personal protective equipment (i) Provision. When there is occupational exposure, the employer shall provide, at no cost to the employee, appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, face shields or masks and eye protection, and mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, pocket masks, or other ventilation devices. Personal protective equipment will be considered “appropriate” only if it does not permit blood or other potentially infectious materials to pass through or reach the employee’s work clothes, street clothes, undergarments, skin, eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes under normal conditions of use and for the duration of time that the protective equipment will be used. Accessibility. The employer shall ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment in the appropriate sizes is readily accessible at the work site or is issued to employees. Hypoallergenic gloves, glove liners, powderless gloves, or other similar alternatives shall be readily accessible to those employees who are allergic to the gloves normally provided.”