What Elements of PPE to Use?
In theory, the selection of PPE is based on the nature of the patient interaction and/or the likely mode(s) of transmission. In the midst of a breaking epidemic of unknown cause, what elements of PPE does one employ? If the causative agent is not passed between people via the respiratory route (coughing and sneezing), then surgical masks (see above, IOM, first paragraph) would suffice, and N95 masks would not be necessary. Still no one had many answers and the chairperson of the infection control committeewas painfully aware that she had insufficient knowledge and precious few guidelines. [SARS] was a completely new disease. (9) The first measure recommended by infection control and infectious disease experts was that those who needed to have direct contact with [SARS] patients should wear the full PPE of N95 mask, gown and gloves. After seeing each patient, they were to discard the gowns and gloves. (9) The backlash was immediate. There was criticism from other staff members who also
