Which statement about PPE usage is least accurate?

Which statement about PPE usage is least accurate?

• A. PPE is designed to protect the wearer from exposure.
• B. PPE should be disposed of after use according to protocol.
• C. PPE should be removed in a way that minimizes contamination.
• D. PPE should be reused across patients without decontamination.

Answer: (D)

PPE is a barrier that protects the wearer from exposure to infectious agents. After each patient encounter, PPE should be disposed of according to protocol or properly decontaminated if it is a reusable item, and you must remove it in a way that minimizes contamination. Reusing PPE across patients without decontamination contradicts infection-control fundamentals, because it would carry pathogens from one patient to the next and defeat the purpose of the protective barrier. In practice, most PPE is single-use, and any reusable items must be decontaminated between patients following approved procedures. That makes the statement about reusing across patients without decontamination the least accurate.

PPE is a barrier that protects the wearer from exposure to infectious agents. After each patient encounter, PPE should be disposed of according to protocol or properly decontaminated if it is a reusable item, and you must remove it in a way that minimizes contamination. Reusing PPE across patients without decontamination contradicts infection-control fundamentals, because it would carry pathogens from one patient to the next and defeat the purpose of the protective barrier. In practice, most PPE is single-use, and any reusable items must be decontaminated between patients following approved procedures. That makes the statement about reusing across patients without decontamination the least accurate.