According to the WHO, more than 89 million masks are needed every month to keep healthcare professionals safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The global pandemic highlights the importance of wearing protective gear.
Personal Protective Equipment is not fading away from the healthcare sector even after the deadly virus effect eventually reduces. As nurses interact with patients for several hours a day, protective gears are crucial to avoid diseases.
The time nurses spend with patients is more than the doctors, so adequate PPE is necessary for the healthcare workers. Moreover, nurses should practice wearing protective gear as they are lifesaving medical tools for healthcare workers. Personal protective equipment, including face masks, gloves, safety glasses and face shields, are essential for every healthcare worker.
Purpose of PPE:
The protective gears keep nurses healthy and prevent patients from hazardous viruses or bacteria. In a nutshell, PPE hinders the spread of diseases and acts as a protective barrier between the wearer and the infectious environment. PPE is mandatory for nurses who work at hospitals, clinics and research laboratories.
When selecting the nursing supplies, consider how you interact with the patients. Masks protect the respiratory system, whereas gloves protect your hands. Likewise, goggles provide complete protection for your eyes.
PPE’s durability is an important consideration. For instance, N95 masks offer better protection and durability than regular masks. Moreover, the PPE’s size affects wearers’ comfort, and it is necessary to choose the right size of protective gear.
PPE for healthcare professionals:
Healthcare workers need diverse types of protective gear to stay safe. Having the right nursing supplies is imperative to provide better care for patients. The nursing equipment list comprises protective gears that are specified below.
Masks prevent bacteria and viruses from entering the respiratory system through the nose or mouth. You will find various types of masks available in the market, but healthcare professionals must obtain masks that assure a high level of protection. N95 and surgical masks are the best choices to protect nurses when caring for patients with severe medical conditions.
Gloves are essential for nurses as they often contact contaminated surfaces or infectious patients. It is also beneficial for patients as gloves prevent patient’s wounds from hazardous infections.
Goggles are another protective gear that allows healthcare workers to provide the best possible patient care. Mucous membranes in the eyes allow hazardous viruses to enter the body, and nurses need to avoid these kinds of infections with the help of safety glasses.
Protective clothing like shoe covers, gowns, and face shields are imperative as it shields the skin from contaminated surfaces.
Proper usage of protective gear is essential.
Nurses who work in various departments rely on PPE for complete protection. Wearing PPE is mandatory for healthcare workers who work in high-risk locations. Nurses should wear protective gear to ensure personal safety and help patients recover without exposing them to contaminated surfaces.
Nurses can promptly use the protective equipment by following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) safety protocols. Before wearing PPE, healthcare professionals should know the correct protective gear to provide better patient care. When nurses take care of patients with virus infections, wearing N95 masks is mandatory. However, surgical masks can help when caring for patients who are not infectious.
Wearing protective gear provides a sense of relief to patients and healthcare professionals. Nurses should carefully choose personal protective equipment to reduce discomfort and hinder healthcare concerns.
Read more: 3 Hand Sanitization Tips for a Safe Journey
