What is the correct order to don personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Putting on personal protective equipment (PPE) in the correct order is essential for ensuring safety and preventing contamination. The proper sequence starts with the gown, followed by the mask and goggles, and finally the gloves.

This order is important because the gown acts as a barrier to protect your clothing and skin from exposure to infectious material. After donning the gown, the mask and goggles are applied next to ensure that your respiratory pathways and eyes are protected from potential contaminants in the environment. Lastly, gloves are worn, providing a final layer of protection, as they are intended to prevent direct contact with infectious agents while handling patients or contaminated materials.

Donning gloves before the gown and mask could lead to contamination of the gloves from the environment or from the process of putting on the other equipment, which undermines the protective purpose of the PPE. Hence, the order of donning PPE is critical for maintaining safety in a healthcare setting.