Protective Gear For Ebola Patient Care (Infographic)

Sequence for donning and removing biohazard protective gear.
Hospital workers must be careful to avoid contamination when removing their soiled protective gear. (Image credit: by Karl Tate, Infographics Artist)

Health care workers aiding Ebola patients must take care to don and remove their protective gear without exposing themselves to potentially deadly organic materials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended a preferred sequence for putting on and taking off the gear.

HOW TO PUT ON PROTECTIVE GEAR

Gown must fully cover torso, neck, knees and wrists.

When putting on face mask, fit flexible band to nose bridge. Fit mask snug to face and below chin.

Adjust eye protection to fit.

Extend gloves to cover wrist of gown.

HOW TO REMOVE PROTECTIVE GEAR

To remove gloves, grasp the palm area of the other hand and peel off the first glove. Hold removed glove in gloved hand. Slide fingers under remaining glove and peel off. Discard gloves in an infectious waste container.

 

Remove goggles or face shield from the back by lifting headband or ear pieces.

 

Unfasten gown ties, taking care that sleeves don’t contact your body. Pull gown away from neck and shoulders, touching inside of gown only. Turn gown inside out. Fold or roll into a bundle and discard in an infectious waste container.

 

Grasp bottom ties of face mask, then the ones at the top, and remove without touching the front. Discard in an infectious waste container.

Karl Tate
LiveScience Infographic Artist
Karl has been Purch's infographics specialist across all editorial properties since 2010.  Before joining Purch, Karl spent 11 years at the New York headquarters of The Associated Press, creating news graphics for use around the world in newspapers and on the web.  He has a degree in graphic design from Louisiana State University.