With the current COVID-19 global pandemic, the general person is becoming aware of the immense benefits and the need for personal protective equipment. Many municipalities and even more businesses are requiring the use of personal protective equipment from both their staff and their patrons. In the past, pandemic personal protective equipment was mainly used in medical care settings to help protect medical professionals and those who work in healthcare settings from being exposed to or exposing others to germs unnecessarily.
With the emphasis on personal protective equipment for the general person, there are a lot of unanswered questions about how different PPE works and how to properly employ it to ensure the highest level of protection. Explore the top questions about personal protective equipment answered. There is always more to learn about PPE, and new items are always being innovated and developed for optimal protection from germs, bacteria, and other harmful substances.
Should I Use PPE While Caring for Sick Family Members?
Yes. When someone in your household falls ill with any type of illness and you are their primary caregiver in the home, it is important to wear PPE when in close contact with the sick person. While the use of PPE alone will not fully protect you from developing the illness or passing an illness to others, it does help to minimize the threat. In addition to PPE, it’s crucial to wash your hands after touching something the sick person touched or touching the person. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers between hand washings to ensure extra protection.
Encourage the sick person to cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze to help protect you from developing the infection or sickness.
Wearing PPE to care for a sick person in your home is only effective if PPE is also removed and disposed of properly and hands are washed after removal.
Can PPE Be Reused?
Yes and no. Most PPE is designed to only be used one time and then disposed of directly after use. There are a few types of PPE that can be reused. Homemade face masks made of cloth are increasingly popular as many establishments require the wearing of them to enter. These can be reused—but they must be washed in between each wearing to remain effective.
Protective eyewear can also be reused if it is decontaminated properly between wear. This is also true for face shields. If they are disinfected properly between wear, they may be reused safely.
Can Disposable PPE Be Washed and Worn Again?
No. Disposable PPE is called disposable for a reason. Any PPE products that mention the word “disposable” should be worn one time and then safely removed and properly disposed of. These products are designed to be used only one time and only by one person. Washing the products will not properly disinfect them for more safe uses and can even break down protective barriers, making the products less effective.
Can PPE Be Shared or Communal?
Usually no. Generally, PPE that is cleared by the FDA is intended for a single usage by a single person. Sharing PPE for one-time use can expose the second wearer to the first wearer’s germs and bacteria. It can also expose the second wearer to infectious materials. One-time use, or disposable PPE, should never be shared or reused.
Some PPE that can be shared is cloth face masks. If the face mask is worn by one person and then washed properly, it can be safely worn by a second person.
How Do I Know PPE Is Effective?
Safe and effective PPE should be approved by the FDA. The FDA established Quality Systems Regulations and Good Manufacturing Practices. Manufacturers of PPE must follow these regulations and practices in order to remain in good standing with the FDA. In general, PPE must meet standards regarding fluid resistance, leak protection, filtering capacity, and resistance to tears, breaks, and snags.
PPE items that follow these regulations are generally to be regarded as safe and effective.
Does PPE Protect Against Specific Diseases?
No. Although wearing PPE is meant to help protect both the wearer and those around the wearer, it is not designed to create specific barriers to diseases. PPE creates non-disease specific barriers to solid, liquid, or airborne particles. The FDA doesn’t assure that any PPE will protect against a specific disease. Manufacturers should also not assure protection from specific diseases. PPE is designed to protect against diseases in general rather than shielding the wearer from one specific form of illness.
How Do I Properly Wear a Face Mask?
Wearing a face mask is beneficial to both the wearer and those around the wearer. They help contain a person’s fluids and germs to a smaller area. They also help prevent other fluids and germ particles from entering the sensitive areas of the wearer, namely the mouth and nose. Face masks are only effective when they are worn properly.
To properly wear a face mask, follow these guidelines:
- Wash hands before putting mask on
- Once on, ensure the mask covers both the nose and the mouth
- The mask should secure under your chin
- The sides of the mask should sit snugly against your face
The CDC no longer recommends the use of cloth face masks or homemade face masks with exhalation valves. Avoid using these when possible.
Where Can I Buy Reliable PPE?
American Screening Corporation has many different PPE items to choose from. Our products are easy to use, safe, and effective. There are many different PPE items to choose from on our website. Contact us today for assistance in choosing the right PPE items for you or your business. Our team of professionals is dedicated to helping you find what you need to keep yourself and your family safe and protected.
There are so many questions regarding PPE, especially right now. With new developments, all the time and plenty of products available, reach out to experts at American Screening Corporation for more information, product recommendations, and more. We strive to provide high-quality PPE, medical personal protective equipment, and more to our loyal customers.
