COVID-19: Inpatient Instructions for Use and Conservation of PPE
Updated March 23, 2021
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It is optimal to use PPE only once and then discard whenever possible. The "reuse" of PPE that is depicted in some of our recommendations is based on current supply shortages. Please consult with your supervisor if you have any questions or concerns about reuse.
- Universal masking of hospital staff which is now recommended by CDC is incorporated into our donning and doffing flyers.
- We assume procedure mask reuse due to continuing supply shortages.
- Please give us any feedback about our educational tools.
"Extended wear" vs. "Terminal doffing"
In some of our materials we refer to "extended wear" and "terminal doffing". Extended wear is not ideal, but is appropriate for use when PPE supplies are limited and you are moving from one confirmed COVID patient to another. Terminal doffing is taking off your PPE after you have cared for a patient and you are all done caring for patients, or you are going to put on fresh PPE before seeing your next patient.
ACE
- N95 (reuse)
- Face shield (reuse)
- Launderable gown (reuse)
- Single gloves
Instructions for ACE PPE
Useful for when you are...
- ...experiencing PPE supply issues.
- ...caring for a symptomatic patients.
- ...performing aerosolizing procedures.
These instructions were last updated on August 20, 2020.
("V7")
PDF Instructions (illustrated)
ACE
- N95 (reuse)
- Face shield (reuse)
- Launderable gown (reuse)
- Double gloves
Instructions for ACE PPE
Useful for when you are...
- ...experiencing PPE supply issues.
- ...caring for a symptomatic patients.
- ...performing aerosolizing procedures.
These instructions were last updated on August 20, 2020.
("V12/13")
ACE
- N95 (reuse)
- Face shield (reuse)
- Disposable gown
- Single gloves
Instructions for ACE PPE
Useful for when you are...
- ...experiencing PPE supply issues.
- ...caring for a symptomatic patients.
- ...performing aerosolizing procedures.
These instructions were last updated on March 23, 2021.
("V4")
PDF Instructions (illustrated)Archived PDF Instructions (illustrated) from August 20, 2020
Archived PDF Instructions (illustrated) from May 21, 2020
ACE
- N95 (reuse)
- Face shield (reuse)
- Coverall (reuse)
- Double gloves
Instructions for ACE PPE
Useful for when you are...
- ...experiencing PPE supply issues.
- ...caring for a symptomatic patients.
- ...performing aerosolizing procedures.
These instructions were last updated on March 23, 2021.
("V11")
PDF Instructions (illustrated)Archived PDF Instructions (illustrated) from August 20, 2020
ACE
- N95 (reuse)
- Face shield (reuse)
- Coverall (reuse)
- Single gloves
Instructions for ACE PPE
Useful for when you are...
- ...experiencing PPE supply issues.
- ...caring for a symptomatic patients.
- ...performing aerosolizing procedures.
These instructions were last updated on March 23, 2021.
("V2")
PDF Instructions (illustrated)Archived PDF Instructions (illustrated) from August 20, 2020
ACE
- CAPR (reuse)
- Coverall (reuse)
- Double gloves
Instructions for ACE PPE
Useful for when you are...
- ...experiencing PPE supply issues.
- ...caring for a symptomatic patients.
- ...performing aerosolizing procedures.
These instructions were last updated on August 20, 2020.
("V9")
PDF Instructions (illustrated)Archived PDF Instructions (illustrated) from May 23, 2020
ACE
- CAPR (reuse)
- Launderable gown (reuse)
- Double gloves
Instructions for ACE PPE
Useful for when you are...
- ...experiencing PPE supply issues.
- ...caring for a symptomatic patients.
- ...performing aerosolizing procedures.
These instructions were last updated on August 19, 2020.
("V14")
PDF Instructions (illustrated)Archived PDF Instructions (illustrated) from May 22, 2020
ACE
- PAPR (reuse)
- Coveralls (reuse)
- Double gloves
Instructions for ACE PPE
Useful for when you are...
- ...experiencing PPE supply issues.
- ...caring for a symptomatic patients.
- ...performing aerosolizing procedures.
These instructions were last updated on August 19, 2020.
("V10")
PDF Instructions (illustrated)Archived PDF Instructions (illustrated) from May 23, 2020
ACE
- PAPR (reuse)
- Launderable gown (reuse)
- Double gloves
Instructions for ACE PPE
Useful for when you are...
- ...experiencing PPE supply issues.
- ...caring for a symptomatic patients.
- ...performing aerosolizing procedures.
These instructions were last updated on August 19, 2020.
("V15")
PDF Instructions (illustrated)Archived PDF Instructions (illustrated) from May 26, 2020
ACE
- DICE
- Procedure mask
- Face shield
- Disposable gown
- Single gloves
Instructions for ACE PPE
According to the CDC, DICE level PPE is acceptable but not optimal for COVID care. Use this only if you have to care for COVID patients and do not have access to ACE level PPE (like N95 respirator).
Useful for when you are...
- ...caring for a symptomatic patients in a way that is unlikely to produce aerosols.
These instructions were last updated on August 18, 2020.
("V2")
PDF Instructions (illustrated)Conservation - Covid-19 ACE / DICE Videos
NOTE: These videos are for use when supplies of face shield and goggles and N95 are running low. We also understand that wipes and sanitizer may become an issue in some institutions and we will continue to try and adapt as best as our Visual Medical Education team is able.
Sharing and Disclaimer
Creative Commons for all COVID-19 content unless otherwise indicated: Give appropriate credit, indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests Emory endorses you or your use.
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