2023, Vol. 5, Issue 1, Part A

Personal protective equipment referred to as 'PPE' is an equipment which is worn to minimize the exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illness. It offers protection by preventing microorganism from contaminating hands, eyes, clothing, hair and shoes. PPE includes gloves, protective eye wear, apron, gown, boots/shoe cover, hair cover. PPE should be used by all health care providers, student nurses, laboratory staffs and family members who provide care to patients in situations where they are exposed to blood, body fluids, secretions or excretions.

Emergent infectious diseases are a challenge to any health system. The current pandemic of the Coronavirus Diseases 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the best recent example of this challenge. Originated in Wuhan, Hubei, china, in December 2019, this emerging infectious disease became a World Health Organization (WHO)-declared pandemic. Till May 13, 2020, this new infection has a worldwide distribution, with more than 4.34 million people infected and more than 296 thousand people dead.⁷