Which item is removed first when doffing PPE to minimize contamination?

Which item is removed first when doffing PPE to minimize contamination?

• A. Gloves.
• B. Goggles/face shield.
• C. Gown.
• D. Mask/respirator.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is to minimize self-contamination during doffing by removing the most contaminated item first. Gloves are the most likely to be contaminated because they directly touch potentially infectious material. Taking them off first reduces the chance that contaminates on gloves will spread to your hands and to other PPE as you proceed. A careful sequence is to peel one glove away from the hand, tuck it inside the other gloved hand, then slide fingers under the cuff of the remaining glove to remove it without touching the outside surface. After gloves are off, perform hand hygiene before touching anything else. Then remove eye protection, gown, and finally the mask or respirator, in a way that avoids touching the front of any contaminated surface. Keeping gloves off first limits the spread of contamination to the rest of your PPE and your face.