When which protective clothing?

Anyone who has contact with infected people also comes into contact with potentially infectious material. The right protective clothing helps to minimize the risk of infection. But when are which measures required?

Disposable gloves

Nurses always wear non-sterile medical disposable gloves when they expect to come into contact with body secretions and potentially infectious material. This could be, for example, blood, wound secretion, vomit or excretions. Gloves are not only required in direct patient contact, but also in the event of hand contact with devices, instruments or surfaces that are visible or likely to be contaminated with certain pathogens. A change of the disposable gloves is necessary if the glove is visibly soiled or damaged, or if you change from the contaminated to the clean area. In addition, the disposable gloves must always be replaced as soon as you turn to a new patient. In principle, the wearing time should be kept as short as possible.

Important: disposable gloves do not offer absolute protection against infection! They can have microscopic holes through which microorganisms can get to the skin. It is therefore essential to disinfect your hands before and after use!

Long sleeved protective gowns

Nurses should wear a protective gown if they expect their work clothes to be contaminated during patient care. This is the case, for example, with isolated patients who have a multi-resistant pathogen. The protective gown should be long-sleeved, liquid-tight and lockable at the back. For adequate protection, the gown should also reach over the knees. A gown needs to be changed after contamination or when the caregiver turns to another patient. A protective gown should only ever be used on one patient. Once the patient has been cared for, the gown can be disposed of in the rubbish bin in the patient’s room.

Disposable mouth and nose protection (Masks)

For their own safety, caregivers always wear mouth and nose protection when they run the risk of inhaling liquid infectious material – for example, in flu patients or vomiting norovirus sufferers. It also offers protection against blood or other body secretions when there is close contact with the patient. In addition, mouth and nose protection is important for patient safety during aseptic procedures, for example when caregivers assist with a joint puncture. It protects patients from microorganisms from the employees’ mouth and throat, which are emitted when speaking and coughing. The mouth and nose protection should be changed when it is damp or after it has been worn for two hours. It is important not to fold down the mouth and nose protection at will and then put it back on again when necessary. Because even when folded down, it can contaminate and then no longer offer any protection. Dispose of it immediately after use.

Visors or eye protection goggles as splash protection

Nurses protect themselves with protective goggles or an eye shield if they have to expect the formation of infectious aerosols or the splashing of infectious liquids or hazardous chemical substances – for example when they suck off a patient or handle a corrosive disinfectant concentrate. In some diseases, the pathogen can be transmitted through the conjunctiva. Here the respiratory protection must be combined with protective goggles to avoid infection in this way.