Safety is a major concern for any worker. Whether in a construction industry or healthcare,personal protective equipment (PPE)is imperative. From providing safety from accidents in the construction industry to infections in the healthcare industry, PPE protects workers against various types of risks on the job. Depending upon the nature of job, workers must wear appropriate PPE to stay safe. In the healthcare industry, PPE is an essential protective gear to prevent transmission of infection.
PPE is commonly used in hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics and pathology labs where the risk of transmission of infections is high. It acts as a barrier to prevent transmission of contaminants through skin, mouth, nose or eyes of patients as well as doctors. Wearing PPE is essential to ensure safety while patient care.
PPE serves a wide purpose as it is also used to ensure safety of patients who are at the high risk of contracting infections through surgical procedures.It has to be used properly along with other infection control practices such as hand-washing and using sanitizers in order to minimize the spread of infection from one person to another. Effective use of PPE must be followed to properly eliminate chances of contamination and prevent exposing people to infection.
All personal protective equipment that is intended for medical use must meet FDA’s regulations and standards for protection.The range of products includes surgical masks, N95 respirators, medical gloves, and gowns. However, face shields and other coverings (such as shoe cover, head cover and aprons) are also included in PPE. All the standards and regulations must be followed to ensure that the device is safe and effective. Some PPEs are even reviewed by FDA before they are sold.
Importance of PPE in the medical industry
In recent times, use of PPE has been prominent in the healthcare sector including clinics, hospitals, and clinical laboratories during coronavirus pandemic.
The correct use of PPE provides a barrier between infectious bacteria, viruses and the human body. It prevents microbes from contaminating humans through the skin, nose, mouth, or eyes. PPE can be highly effective in blocking the transmission of contaminants through body fluids, blood, or respiratory secretions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, PPE have played a significant role in containing the pandemic in the most affected countries around the world. As healthcare professionals remain at the highest risk of contamination, wearing PPE provides them protection against the coronavirus. However, proper disposal methods of PPE should also be followed to keep the pandemic under control.