Removal of personal protective equipment (PPE) can be risky business as highlighted in this hot off the press article in JAMA Internal Medicine. When assessed for the appropriate removal of PPE (gowns and gloves), over 40% of HCWs contaminated themselves through poor technique.
We wrote the accompanying commentary to this article, accessible here. Dr.Michelle Doll elegantly argues in favor of selective use of contact precautions, with improved PPE, calling for enhanced mechanisms of training, evaluation and feedback of healthcare worker donning and doffing of gloves and gowns. To be effective, this must be done to scale, across the hospital environment.
This is our charge and we moving forward.
More to come.