Personal Protective Equipment information
Levels of Personal Protective Equipment
Different levels of PPE are required depending on the care you are delivering.
Please review and share the personal protection documents below, and ensure you’re always using the correct PPE for the situation.
Aerosol-generating procedures
Airborne and contact precautions should be used for all AGPs involving COVID and Suspected COVID patients
Please review and share the Aerosol-Generating Procedures (AGPs) poster below.
Aerosol-Generating Procedures (AGPs)
PDF document
The following PPE is to be used for AGPs:
- P2/N95 respirator (mask) – fit-check with each use
- eye protection (for example, safety glasses/goggles or face shield)
- long-sleeved gown
- gloves (non-sterile)
- Total head covering is not required.
N95/P2 masks should be:
- Discarded and replaced if contaminated with blood or bodily fluids
- Discarded following the AGP
- Replaced if it becomes hard to breathe through or if the mask no longer conforms to the face or loses its shape
- Removed outside of patient care areas (e.g., between wards, break room, reception area) and are to be removed before proceeding to care for patients that are not isolated for coronavirus (COVID-19).
Donning & Doffing Single Use Face Shields
Face shields offer an additional layer of protection by covering your eyes, nose and mouth as well as helping to prevent you from touching your face.
Goggles are not required to be worn in addition to a face shield as the face shield offers the eye protection required.
Please note: Monash Health has reviewed its practice of disposable shields. In line with DHHS guidance, disposable shields and goggles must be used once only and discarded.
Shields and goggles are to be treated like a mask, discarded when taking a break, or when visibly soiled and should not be reapplied.
This means that the cleaning of face shields is no longer required.
Keeping yourself safe – fast tips
General tips
- You must be bare below the elbows when you are in clinical areas.
- No jewellery or watches on your arms (a wedding band is acceptable).
- Short nails without nail polish/gel/shellac/SNS etc.
- No ties, lanyards, scarves etc.
- Use the hand hygiene product regularly and do not forget your wrists.
- Men – its time to get rid of the beard – if you have facial hair, you won’t be able to use an N95 mask properly (during aerosol-generating procedures) and will put yourself at increased risk.
Long-sleeved gowns
- The gowns we are using have been in use for many years and are an effective part of PPE when appropriately used.
- Some employees are finding the sleeves are a bit too short or a bit too wide. This is a low risk for COVID-19 transmission given the virus is transmitted via droplets.
- We are working on sourcing long gloves to help cover any small gaps that may be present.
- The most important thing is hand hygiene and to use the hand rub all the way up your wrist.
N95 masks
- For the latest advice on N95 masks, visit the use of N95 masks page.
Head cover
- Hairnets are not required during routine care of COVID-19 patients.
- Tie back your hair and keep it off your face.
