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Infection Control

Donning and Removing PPE

Don PPE before entering the isolation room: gown first, then mask, then goggles, then gloves. Remove in reverse order inside the doorway: gloves first, goggles, gown, mask last. Gloves go in the red biohazard bin.

3-5 minutes•14 steps•2 critical
Gown and gloves — on in order, off in reverse. Every time.

Why this matters

Gown and gloves — on in order, off in reverse. Every time.

Quick tips

  • Both critical steps are glove removal: palm-grasp, then fingers under the cuff.
  • Gloves come off before the gown.
  • The outside of gloves and the front of the gown are contaminated.

Common mistakes

  • Taking off the gown before the gloves, which brings contaminated gloves into contact with the gown and your arms.
  • Peeling the first glove off from the fingertips or touching the outside with bare skin, which risks failing a critical step.
  • Letting the gown touch the floor or your clothes while removing it.
  • Pulling gown cuffs over the gloves instead of glove cuffs over the gown, which breaks the overlap at the wrist.