Question: What is the proper way for a healthcare worker to put on and takeoff a gown (PPE)?

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Personal Protective Equipment: Questions and Answers
section_headers: Gowns
What testing and standards should I consider when looking for CDC-recommended protective clothing?
section_content: 
CDC’s guidance for Considerations for Selecting Protective Clothing used in Healthcare for Protection against Microorganisms in Blood and Body Fluids outlines the scientific evidence and information on national and international standards, test methods, and specifications for fluid-resistant and impermeable gowns and coveralls used in healthcare.
Many organizations have published guidelines for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in medical settings. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Association of the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI): ANSI/AAMI PB70:2012pdf iconexternal icon describes the liquid barrier performance and a classification of surgical and isolation gowns for use in health care facilities.
As with any type of PPE, the key to proper selection and use of protective clothing is to understand the hazards and the risk of exposure. Some of the factors important to assessing the risk of exposure in health facilities include source, modes of transmission, pressures and types of contact, and duration and type of tasks to be performed by the user of the PPE. (Technical Information Report (TIR) 11pdf iconexternal icon[AAMI 2005]).
For gowns, it is important to have sufficient overlap of the fabric so that it wraps around the body to cover the back (ensuring that if the wearer squats or sits down, the gown still protects the back area of the body).


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Does a good job going into detail on the response itself. Talks about what to do and what to wear. Several of the bullet points have links to pertinent information. A good response
Gives links to different ways in which to use or put on the PPE, which may include removal, but nothing specific in any of the answers provided as to how to remove it.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Could be Improved

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Personal Protective Equipment: Questions and Answers
section_headers: Gowns
How do I put on (don) and take off (doff) my gown?
section_content: 
Check to see if your facility has guidance on how to don and doff PPE. The procedure to don and doff should be tailored to the specific type of PPE that you have available at your facility.
If your facility does not have specific guidance, the CDC has recommended sequences for donning and doffing of PPE.pdf icon
It is important for Health Care Providers (HCP) to perform hand hygiene before and after removing PPE. Hand hygiene should be performed by using alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60-95% alcohol or washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If hands are visibly soiled, soap and water should be used before returning to alcohol-based hand sanitizer.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Answer directs requester to check with their own employer/facility first for guidance and then to to the CDC's if the facility does not have one. Answer makes sure that the requester will have the most accurate information if they follow the steps in order.
This is the same response as the other one. Does a good job telling you to check with your facility first to see if they have anything on it. If not, a CDC link is provided

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Personal Protective Equipment: Questions and Answers
section_headers: Gloves
How do I put on (don) or take off (doff) my gloves?
section_content: 
Check to see if your facility has guidance on how to don and doff PPE. The procedure to don and doff should be tailored to the specific type of PPE that you have available at your facility.
If your facility does not have specific guidance, the CDC has recommended sequences for donning and doffing of PPEpdf icon.
It is important for HCP to perform hand hygiene after removing PPE. Hand hygiene should be performed by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60-95% alcohol or washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If hands are visibly soiled, soap and water should be used before returning to alcohol-based hand sanitizer.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Answer refers requester to look at facility guidance first and then offers link to CDC guidance if they facility does not have the answer the requester needs. While it is an extra step it does make sure that the requester will get the most accurate information by following the steps.
This is a good response because it first tells you to check with your own facility. If they do not have guidance, then there's a link for what to do according to the CDC. Very well done

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent