As the number of cases of COVID-19 infection is growing in India, the requirement for personal protective equipment (PPE) is increasing. PPE is a basic necessity for doctors, nurses and other medical staff who are taking care of COVID-19 patients. 

Due to the increased demand for PPE, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has asked hospital staff to use PPE kits rationally: keep most of it for those who are at a high risk of getting exposed to COVID-19 infection, such as the laboratory staff, the ambulance staff, ICU staff and the isolation ward staff.

The following things are present in a PPE kit:

  • Nitrile gloves
  • A water-resistant gown which covers the front and back of the body
  • Transparent goggles
  • An N-95 respirator (mask) 
  • Triple-layered medical mask
  • Shoe covers
  • A face shield
  • A hood covering the head

Here in this article, we will talk about the different PPE which should be used for different areas of the hospital, to ensure that the PPE kits are used rationally during the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

  1. PPE for COVID-19 screening OPD staff
  2. PPE for sample collection staff
  3. PPE for sample handling staff
  4. PPE for COVID-19 ICU staff
  5. PPE for sanitation staff
  6. PPE for COVID-19 ward staff
  7. PPE for COVID-19 ambulance staff
  8. PPE for COVID mortuary staff
  9. PPE for the rest of the hospital staff
Doctors for Personal protective equipment for different areas of the hospital

Health care workers at the COVID-19 screening OPD should wear the following PPE:

  • N95 mask: These masks block droplet transmission of infection and have good breathability to minimise discomfort when health workers wear them for several hours at a time.
  • Goggles: These goggles need to be well-fitted, with a proper seal with the skin of the face.
  • Gown (water-resistant): These gowns are impermeable to bodily fluids, including blood.
  • Gloves (two pairs): Nitrile gloves are resistant to some chemicals and also useful for those who have a latex allergy. If these are not available, powder-free latex gloves may also be used.

Read more: 10 steps to put on and remove PPE for medical professionals

myUpchar doctors after many years of research have created myUpchar Ayurveda Urjas Capsule by using 100% original and pure herbs of Ayurveda. This ayurvedic medicine has been recommended by our doctors to lakhs of people for sex problems with good results.
Long Time Capsule
₹719  ₹799  10% OFF
BUY NOW

Health care workers who do the sample collection for suspected COVID-19 patients should wear the following PPE:

  • N95 mask
  • Goggles
  • Gown (water-resistant)
  • Gloves (two pairs)
  • Shoe cover: These should also be made of a material that is impermeable to bodily fluids, including blood.
  • Hood: This hood should cover the head and protect the neck. Hair and hair extensions should be tucked inside.

Health care workers who handle the samples of suspected COVID-19 patients in the laboratories should wear the following PPE:

  • N95 mask
  • Goggles or face shield
  • Gown (water-resistant)
  • Gloves (two pairs)

Health care workers who treat the patients of COVID-19 infection in an intensive care unit (ICU) should wear the following PPE:

  • N95 mask
  • Goggles or face shield
  • Gown (water-resistant)
  • Gloves (two pair)
  • Shoe cover
  • Hood
myUpchar doctors after many years of research have created myUpchar Ayurveda Kesh Art Hair Oil by using 100% original and pure herbs of Ayurveda. This Ayurvedic medicine has been recommended by our doctors to more than 1 lakh people for multiple hair problems (hair fall, gray hair, and dandruff) with good results.
Bhringraj Hair Oil
₹425  ₹850  50% OFF
BUY NOW

The sweepers and cleaners who clean the entire COVID-19 hospital including the isolation wards and COVID-19 ICU should wear the following PPE:

  • N95 mask
  • Goggles or face shield
  • Gown (water-resistant)
  • Heavy-duty gloves 
  • Boots
  • Hood

Read more: How useful are masks against COVID-19 and how to use them

Healthcare workers who take care of COVID-19 patients in the wards should wear the following PPE:

  • N95 mask
  • Goggles or face shield
  • Gown (water-resistant)
  • Gloves (two pair)
  • Shoe cover
  • Hood

Read more: COVID-19: Government guidelines for isolation wards

Healthcare workers who transport suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 to the hospital should wear the following PPE:

  • N95 mask
  • Goggles
  • Gown (water-resistant)
  • Gloves (two pair)

However, the driver of the COVID-19 ambulance just needs to put on a triple-layer mask for their protection.

Read more: How to take a patient to hospital: government guidelines

myUpchar doctors after many years of research have created myUpchar Ayurveda Urjas Energy & Power Capsule by using 100% original and pure herbs of Ayurveda. This Ayurvedic medicine has been recommended by our doctors to lakhs of people for problems like physical and sexual weakness and fatigue, with good results.
Power Capsule For Men
₹719  ₹799  10% OFF
BUY NOW

Healthcare workers who would be dealing with the bodies of deceased COVID-19 patients should wear the following PPE:

  • N95 mask
  • Goggles or face shield
  • Gown (water-resistant)
  • Gloves (two pair)
  • Shoe cover
  • Hood

Read more: COVID-19: Global best practices for proper disposal of dead bodies

Healthcare staff working in the rest of the hospital do not need to put on the entire PPE. Radiology and regular OPD departments should only wear a triple layer mask. The sanitation wing of the rest of the hospital should use heavy-duty gloves and triple-layer masks for their protection. The administration staff does not require any PPE as they do not come in contact with infected or suspected patients.

Dr Rahul Gam

Dr Rahul Gam

Infectious Disease
8 Years of Experience

Dr. Arun R

Dr. Arun R

Infectious Disease
5 Years of Experience

Dr. Neha Gupta

Dr. Neha Gupta

Infectious Disease
16 Years of Experience

Dr. Anupama Kumar

Dr. Anupama Kumar

Infectious Disease


Medicines / Products that contain Personal protective equipment for different areas of the hospital

References

  1. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare [Internet]. Government of India. New Delhi. India; Guidance document on appropriate management of suspect/confirmed cases of COVID-19.
  2. Cascella M, Rajnik M, Cuomo A, et al. Features, Evaluation and Treatment Coronavirus (COVID-19). [Updated 2020 Mar 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
  3. Rothan, Hussin A. et al. The Epidemiology and Pathogenesis of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak. J Autoimmun , 102433. PMID: 32113704
  4. Zhang, Yi. et al. A Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: A Call for Action. Chest , 157 (4), e99-e101. PMID: 32087216
  5. Dong, Liying. et al. Discovering Drugs to Treat Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Drug Discov Ther , 14 (1), 58-60. PMID: 32147628
  6. Singhal, Tanu. A Review of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Indian J Pediatr , 87 (4), 281-286. PMID: 32166607
  7. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Govt. of India. Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Guidelines on rational use of Personal Protective Equipment . [Internet]
  8. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Govt. of India. COVID-19 INDIA. [Internet]
Read on app