• To enhance your knowledge of the items of personal protective equipment (PPE) available, when these items should be used, and the procedure for putting on and removing these items
• To optimise your use of PPE, thus reducing the risk of infection and preserving patient safety
• To count towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD, or you may wish to write a reflective account (UK readers)
• To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers)
A comprehensive understanding of infection prevention and control is essential for nurses when seeking to protect themselves, patients, colleagues and the general public from the transmission of infection. Personal protective equipment (PPE) – such as gloves, aprons and/or gowns, and eye protection – is an important aspect of infection prevention and control for all healthcare staff, including nurses. Its use requires effective assessment, an understanding of the suitability of various types of PPE in various clinical scenarios, and appropriate application. Understanding the role of PPE will enable nurses to use it appropriately and reduce unnecessary cost, while ensuring that the nurse-patient relationship remains central to care. This article defines PPE and its components, outlines when it should be used and details its optimal application.
Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2019.e11260
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Correspondence Conflict of interestNone declared
Brown L, Munro J, Rogers S (2019) Use of personal protective equipment in nursing practice. Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2019.e11260
Published online: 01 April 2019
