Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Hand Washing is the single most important means of reducing the risks of transmitting microorganisms from one person to another or from one site to another. The level of hand contamination is highest after contact with blood and/or body substances. Even if gloves have been worn, hands may become contaminated during glove removal. Wearing jewelry has been shown to increase the microbial load normally carried on hands. Therefore, excessive jewelry wearing (other than a watch and plain rings) is not recommended during system service.

Antimicrobial soap, water, and mechanical friction are sufficient to remove most of these blood and body substances Hands must be washed before and after system contact or contact with items contaminated with blood or body substances.

Gloves provide a protective barrier and prevent cross contamination of the hands when touching potentially infectious substances. Gloves protect the hands of personnel from becoming transiently colonized with microorganisms from a sample or system that can be transmitted to other people or other parts of the Panther Fusion System or other systems. Gloves must be changed between sample contacts, module contacts, and system contacts. It is important to note that gloves must be changed between service on different modules within the same system. Wearing gloves does not replace the need for hand washing because gloves may have defects or be torn during use, and hands can become contaminated during glove removal. Therefore, hands are to be washed after gloves are removed.

An assortment of disposable/single use and reusable gloves are available in a variety of sizes and materials (e.g., latex, non-latex, vinyl). Latex allergies are quite common. If your hands begin to itch or a rash develops, discontinue use of latex gloves and consult a health care professional.

Wear Gloves

• If there is potential for contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, or items that may be contaminated with any of these substances
• If the employees hands are abraded or dermatitis is present
• Whenever system service is performed, regardless of whether or not clinical samples have been known to be run on the system

Change Gloves

• Between each contact with samples
• Between each contact with separate modules or systems
• When holes or tears are noted or when the gloves ability to function as a barrier is compromised

Remove Gloves

• After each use
• Before touching non-contaminated items and environmental surfaces
• Before going to another system or area of the laboratory

Warning—Never reuse gloves.

Protective Face and Eyewear

Masks, goggles, or face shields must be worn to provide protection of the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth during procedures that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions, or excretions and to provide protection against the spread of infectious large-particle droplets.

Although face shields come in various shapes and sizes, designs that cover below chin level, wrap around to the ears, and allow for prescription glasses provide the best protection. Prescription glasses alone do not provide protection from splatter and splashed. Removable sideshields are needed to adequately protect employees from blood and body fluid exposures when they wear prescription glasses.

Wearing Masks

• Adjust the mask so that it fits snugly against the face, is secured along the sides of the face, and is molded over the bridge of the nose. Air should not enter around the mask edges.
• Keep beards groomed so that the mask fits as closely to the face as possible.
• Change the mask between working on different systems.
• Change the mask if it gets wet.
• Remove the mask as soon as the procedure is completed.

Clothing does not provide adequate protection from blood and body fluid exposure or chemical exposure. Various types of gowns and protective apparel are worn to provide barrier protection and reduce opportunities for transmission of microorganisms or chemical spills on clothing. Gowns are worn to prevent contamination of clothing and to protect the skin from blood and body fluid exposures. Gowns and other appropriate protective apparel must be worn when there is potential that an exposure (splashing with blood or body fluids or system contact) will occur.

Selecting Gowns and Protective Apparel

Choose garments that prevent blood or other potentially infectious materials from passing through or reaching the employees clothes or body.

Soiled Gowns

If gowns become soiled with blood or body fluids:

1. Put on gloves.
2. Remove the gown immediately.
3. Place the gown in a biohazard trash container.

Warning—Do not rinse the gown.

4. Prior to changing into a new gown, wash contaminated skin with soap and water.