Personal Protective Equipment
Policies and standards related to PPE that Infection Prevention and Control professionals may use to support their own documentation and best practices in the management of COVID-19.
Prior to any patient interaction, all healthcare workers (HCWs) have a responsibility to assess the infectious risk posed to themselves and to other patients, visitors, and HCWs. This risk assessment is based on professional judgment about the clinical situation and up-to-date information on how the specific healthcare organization has designed and implemented engineering and administrative controls, along with the availability and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
The recommendations for infection prevention and control measures for direct care of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in healthcare settings include:
- fit-tested, seal-checked N95 respirator
- eye protection (e.g., goggles or face shield)
- gowns
- gloves
Recommended PPE for all patient encounters should be based on a point of care risk assessment (PCRA), which should consider:
- community epidemiology of COVID-19
- ventilation assessed by the organization as adequate
- patient not yet clinically evaluated (e.g., emergency areas)
- likelihood of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens based on:
- specific interaction
- specific task
- specific patient
- specific environment, and
- available conditions
Additional recommendations include:
- Continue to adhere to, reinforce, evaluate and monitor the full range of existing COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures and guidance
- Continue to implement and re-evaluate the hierarchy of controls within the healthcare environment including:
- engineering and administrative controls
- all HCWs should be vaccinated with booster vaccines
- processes and written procedures to manage HCW exposures to COVID-19 and illness
- environmental cleaning and disinfection
- active screening and notification
- physical distancing
As information becomes available, these recommendations will be re-evaluated and updated as needed. HCWs should refer to provincial and territorial guidance and facility policies on specific recommendations for use of medical masks, eye protection and other PPE.
For further PPE guidance refer to:
- Updated guidance for infection prevention and control in health care settings when COVID-19 is suspected or confirmed – April 2024 (PHPAC)
- Best Practices for Prevention, Surveillance and Infection Control Management of Novel Respiratory Infections in All Health Care Settings (PHO)
Non-Medical Masks (PHAC)
- Respiratory infectious diseases: Mask use for reducing the spread
- Masking: How to choose, use and care for masks