Healthcare workers dressed in PPE at the Covid-19 screening table in front of Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz's Emergency Department. — Photos: DR HARDIP SINGH GENDEH
If knights of old had their armour, healthcare workers of today have their personal protective equipment (PPE).
Just as a knight’s armour protects them against injury in battle, a healthcare worker’s PPE protects them against infection in their battle against dangerous microorganisms.
These pieces of equipment are especially important during times of viral pandemic, like the current Covid-19 outbreak.
The infectiousness of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes Covid-19, and its occasional lack of symptoms, can make it difficult to identify who has the infection.
This means that healthcare workers constantly face the danger of coming into close contact with a patient who might be unknowingly infected with the novel coronavirus.
The only thing protecting them from catching the virus is their PPE.
There is a strict sequence to putting on and taking off PPE, and it requires practice to do it both correctly and quickly.
Any mistakes during the process could mean potential exposure to a dangerous microorganism like SARS-CoV-2.
We take a look at this process as demonstrated by Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Department of Otorhinolarygology - Head and Neck Surgery medical officer Dr Tan Sui Ting.
Donning PPE
1. Dressed in hospital scrubs, goggles and boots, Dr Tan first disinfects his hands with alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
2. He first puts on a surgical face mask.
3. This is followed by covering the foot of his boots with shoe covers.
4. The second round of disinfecting his hands with alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
5. He then puts on a surgical head cap.
6. This is followed by the first layer of non-sterile disposable gloves.
7. A surgical gown goes on over the scrubs.
8. A plastic apron provides another layer of body protection.
9. He then puts on a face shield..
10, A second layer of non-sterile disposable gloves is put on.
11. And a final round of disinfecting the gloves with alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
Ready to treat patients with the full PPE of surgical head cap, goggles, face mask, face shield, two layers of non-sterile disposable gloves, gown, apron, boots and foot cover.
