What is the first step in removing personal protective equipment (PPE)?

The first step in removing personal protective equipment (PPE) is to remove gloves. This is because gloves can become contaminated during patient care or while interacting with surfaces in a clinical environment. By removing gloves first, you minimize the risk of spreading contaminants to other areas, including your hands, which could lead to infection.

After removing gloves, it is important to perform hand hygiene before proceeding to remove the other PPE items. The sequence of removing PPE is crucial to ensuring safety and preventing the transmission of pathogens. The typical order of removal is gloves first, followed by goggles or face shields, gowns, and finally masks. This procedure helps ensure that any contaminants from the gloves do not come into contact with other equipment or areas of the body.