Personal Protective Equipment PPE and Environmental EVS Services

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Environmental (EVS) Services: Keeping EVS Team Members, Patients, and Caregivers Safe

As an EVS technician, you need to protect yourself There are many dangers on the job: • Sharp objects in waste cans that might cut your hand • Germs (pathogens) • Chemicals that can hurt eyes or skin if splashed while cleaning

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Special clothing or equipment to wear on the job to protect against germs or chemicals that can hurt you or make you sick

Types of PPE for EVS Technicians Goggles/ eyewearprotect eyes Glovesprotect hands Masksprotect mouth/nose

Types of PPE for EVS Technicians Gowns/apronsprotect skin and/or clothing Respiratorsworn over mouth/nose so you don’t get sick by breathing in germs in the air Face shieldsprotect face, mouth, nose, and eyes

PPE: Gloves hand protection Change if torn or damaged NEVER wash and reuse disposable gloves which are meant to be thrown out after use

PPE: Gloves hand protection Change between patient rooms

PPE: Gloves Types of gloves • • • Latex Non Latex Coated Mesh Cut-resistant liners

PPE: Gloves Perform hand hygiene when entering Hand hygiene • • or leaving a patient room or care area, Wash hands with soap and water Clean hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer and after removing gloves

PPE: Gowns/Aprons Wear to protect uniforms when mixing chemicals Wear for certain isolation rooms (follow instructions on signs posted on door into patient’s room) Some special rooms may require gowns– such as pharmacy clean rooms, chemotherapy rooms, and radiation therapy rooms

PPE: Mask & Respirators Wear a surgical mask when cleaning rooms with Droplet Precaution isolation • Cover mouth and nose with mask • Remove and discard when leaving room Get fit tested and wear a N-95 respirator for Airborne Precautions • Perform a fit check when putting on the respirator

PPE: Respirators • Once a year, fit testing of respirators may be required where you work • After putting on the respirator, be sure to check the fit just BEFORE entering the room

PPE: Goggles & Face Shields Wear goggles to protect eyes from chemicals, body fluids, or splashes of water you use • When mixing or diluting chemical disinfectants • When emptying buckets of water after mopping, cleaning or disinfecting • When cleaning blood or body fluid spills Face shields protect the entire face from splashes

When to Wear PPE • Wear PPE when mixing/diluting chemical disinfectants • When cleaning blood or body fluid spills • Wear PPE when cleaning isolation rooms • Wear PPE when cleaning special rooms: • Operating rooms • Clean Rooms in Pharmacy

Personal Protective Equipment • Know how to put on each piece • In isolation rooms, you will need to take the PPE off in a certain order

Putting on PPE 1 2 Perform hand hygiene Put on gown, if needed 3 Put on mask/respirator, if needed 4 Put on gloves

Removing PPE 1 Remove gloves 2 Remove gown 3 Remove mask/respirator 4 Clean your hands

Where to Wear PPE Wear your PPE in your work area • Cleaning rooms/halls/areas • Cleaning spills • Mixing chemicals Don’t leave your work area with PPE still on • No PPE in break room • No PPE in cafeteria

PPE has Limitations PPE is only effective if worn consistently & correctly • Gloves will NOT prevent sharps injuries • Eye protection CAN prevent splashes to the eyes • Respirators prevent breathing in airborne germs

Remember • EVS technicians have an important job • Protect yourself by wearing PPE • Put on PPE correctly • Remove PPE correctly • Wear PPE only when needed • Remove PPE when not needed to keep everyone safe