Protective clothing

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/healthcare/protective-clothing/index.html

Why is Protective Clothing Needed?

Healthcare workers may be exposed to biological fluids that can transmit diseases.

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV)

• Ebola virus

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

3 primary routes of transmission

1. Contact Transmission (direct and indirect)

• Most common

• Transfer of microorganisms through physical contact.

2 types:

• Direct contact = person-to-person contact

• Indirect contact = contact through contaminated objects or surfaces

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2. Airborne droplet nuclei Transmission

• Dissemination of airborne particles (droplet nuclei) that remain suspended in the air

• Because they stay in the air longer, they can be inhaled by others.

3. Respiratory droplets Transmission

• Spread through large respiratory droplets produced by

  • Coughing

  • Sneezing

  • Talking

These droplets usually travel only a short distance before falling.

Risk Assessment

A risk assessment is performed before selecting protective clothing

• Depends on severity of disease and symptoms

  • Ex: Ebola — High virus production and close contact = high chance of transmission

  • Ebola patients can release 8 liters/day of body fluids (vomit & diarrhea)

Risk assessment includes

• Source

• Modes of transmission

• Pressures and types of contact

• Duration

• Type of tasks

Invasive Medical Procedures

Procedures involving blood or body fluids increase the likelihood of transmission.

Examples include:

• Surgery

• Injections

• Invasive patient care