Types of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Jul 18, 2020
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 28, 2020
Poster Designed By:
Danny Tseu Zheng Hao
Dion Yong
Jonathan Tan Cho Yao
Due to severe outbreaks in several countries across the world, society has been searching online for sources on ways to protect themselves and prevent further contamination of their environments. Jensen (2020) stated, “Healthcare workers are obligated to wear protective equipment to prevent themselves from any contact with body fluids or droplets of cough as they are essential for maintaining the outbreak of COVID-19 from further damage”.
Workers from the healthcare department are greatly needed to aid patients and victims who have been infected which puts them in a lot of danger as a slight malfunction in their protective equipment might lead them to infection as well. Parents and individuals alike are having a hard time coping with the pandemic as they are confused about which procedure they should follow as none are accurate and helpful. It is a necessity for everyone to follow the right steps and wear appropriate gear in order to stay safe.
One of the few types of safety gear that everyone should be able to afford is the face mask as it is meant to protect you in public settings from other people who may be infected. However, people should continue to distance themselves from others for about 6 feet when they are in need to buy groceries for safety measures as the face mask is not a substitute for social distancing. As NCIRD (2020) stated, “Surgical masks and N95 respirators are more appropriate for healthcare workers as they are more efficient and helpful due to them being the first responders”. Healthcare workers in the frontline are more vulnerable to infection, which is why they require more than just surgical masks. They are obligated to wear fluid-resistant aprons, gowns, and gloves when they are running a procedure as they will encounter close contact with the patients more often than a regular individual.
Besides that, hand sanitizers are also important in a household as they are designed to keep our hands clean and non-infectious. Washing our hands with soap and water is also acceptable as their functions are similar. However, it is greatly advised to be more careful when handling and storing an alcohol-based sanitizer due to its flammability. Parents should keep sanitizers that are alcohol-based out of children’s reach as they are unaware and immature of its hazards. They should teach their children of the steps on how to apply the sanitizer as they monitor their actions thoroughly. Applying a coin-sized amount on the hands is more than enough as there is no need to waste more product. We should also avoid having contact with our eyes, mouth, and nose immediately after use as it can cause irritation to the skin. “Hand sanitizers that are alcohol-based are greatly recommended to fight against COVID-19 as they are more efficient and effective, therefore it is highly warned to not handle fire or cook as it can be flammable”, stated WHO (2020). Parents should store and keep their sanitizers in a confined space that is unreachable for children as they are poisonous if consumed.
Moreover, sterilizers have been a major help in disinfecting objects or surfaces that have been touched frequently. It is definitely helpful equipment to have as we tend to receive packages or buy supplies that are not sterilized. Therefore, it is advised to have a sterilizer by hand to help us maintain the cleanliness of our surroundings and household furniture like tabletops, doorknobs, toilets, and handles. If people are still having second thoughts on disinfecting with our bare hands, CDC (2020) stated that “we can also wear disposable gloves if necessary as to ensure more safety when handling disinfection, but to discard the gloves immediately after each cleaning”. Before starting the cleaning process, we should consider wearing skin and eye protection for potential splash hazards and ensure there is sufficient ventilation for breathing. Additionally, we can also use a diluted household bleach solution if appropriate for the surface as it is effective against viruses when properly diluted and unexpired. After finish disinfecting, we must clean our hands immediately with soap and water after removing the gloves.
Last but not least, having a home thermometer is crucial during a pandemic as it records your temperature and detects any suspicious or uncommon temperatures an individual is having. Regular temperature checks have also been implemented in shopping malls as it is a necessity before accessing stores. People should know the right way of using a thermometer as different thermometers and scanners work in different ways and styles. It is much easier getting the inaccurate reading when people are unaware of its infrared technology which sensors the heat from our forehead or other body parts to detect a flare-up in temperature. We must also be aware of our surroundings before taking measurements of our temperature. TOI (2020) stated that “There is a difference between the body’s temperature during the day and night as the external temperature is affected”. Ideally, we should settle in an ambient environment without consuming anything hot or cold to get the most accurate reading. Take the best of 5 readings in a single measurement and get the average reading for confirmation. Kids, on the other hand, can be hesitant and not cooperative when it comes to recording their temperature. We can use an intra-oral sensor to record their temperature as it scans the temperature from their ear. Recording our temperature twice a day is more than sufficient.
In conclusion, we have to be more aware of our health as the slightest symptom may cause death upon us. We should take into consideration our health as being cautious is worth nothing more than a penny. “Ignorant people have been going out a lot and doing outdoor activities without the knowledge of how contagious the coronaviruses are, which increases the chances of contact with it and the number of deaths”, stated Thompson (2020). Therefore, people should be more aware of how dangerous and worrisome when a pandemic is happening as it does impact a lot of people. We should appreciate and be more mindful of the safety of our health as it is one in a million.
Written By:
Darren Phang Kah Hou
18th July 2020
References
Jensen, V., 2020. Protective Clothes And Equipment For Healthcare Workers To Prevent Them from Catching Coronavirus And Other Highly Infectious Diseases. [online] Available at: <https://www.cochrane.org/CD011621/protective-clothes-and-equipment-healthcare-workers-prevent-them-catching-coronavirus-and-other> [Accessed 12 July 2020].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2020. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – Prevention & Treatment. [online] Available at: <https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html> [Accessed 13 July 2020].
Who.int. 2020. Advice For The Public On COVID-19 – World Health Organization. [online] Available at: <https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public> [Accessed 13 July 2020].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2020. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Environmental Cleaning And Disinfection Recommendations. [online] Available at: <https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html> [Accessed 14 July 2020].
The Times of India. 2020. Precautions To Take With Your Home Thermometer | The Times Of India. [online] Available at: <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/coronavirus-the-right-way-of-checking-your-temperature-at-home-according-to-doctors/photostory/76342368.cms?picid=76342524> [Accessed 14 July 2020].
Thompson, D., 2020. COVID-19 Cases Are Rising, So Why Are Deaths Flatlining?. [online] The Atlantic. Available at: <https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/07/why-covid-death-rate-down/613945/> [Accessed 14 July 2020].
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