Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Prevention of infection and control measures include hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE). Protective equipment consists of garments which aid to protect the healthcare workers or other people to prevent get an infection. This kit usually consist of standard precautions: like masks, gown, and gloves. If there is any blood or airborne infection which may comprise of face protection masks or face shields, goggles, coveralls, head cover, gloves and boots.
There is a clear evidence of human to human transmission
of COVID-19 it spreads mainly through respiratory droplets which are produced
when people cough or sneeze, it also spreads through containment surfaces or
objects. Hence, personal protective equipments (PPEs) are designed to safeguard
the healthcare workers by minimizing the exposure to the biological agents.
Basic setting about non-woven used in the preparation of
PPE kit:
A PPE kit when used properly
can provide adequate results. To develop the coveralls generally three layer
fabric is used which is termed as S-M-S fabric (spun bond and melt blown or
their combinations).
General description of the
S-M-S fabric:
- The S-M-S fabric is a medical fabric made of polypropylene.
- This fabric offers high tensile strength, provides good toughness. It is also soft, can be easily draped and easy to work with.
- This non-woven fabric provides fluid and particulate barrier to protect the health workers without sacrificing mobility and comfort.
- It is light-weight and resistant to tear and punctures.
- Further this fabric has unique features like repellence from alcohol, blood, it is resistance to mildew, bacteria and is extra soft plus hydrophobic.
- It is a three layer non-woven material having filter efficiency of 99% of 3 micron particles and it should be ISI specified.
- It is manufactured by spun bond- melt blown- spun bond process which offers excellent water repellency.
While manufacturing the S-M-S fabric, a layer of PP melt
blown is sandwiched between two spun bond layers where melt blown function as a
barrier to fluid transmission forming permanent hydrophobic. It is single use
fabric, it can be reuse in some cases but for that it should be sterilized. The
fabric is of 40-43 GSM.
Components of PPE Kit:
All items to be
supplied meet to be accompanied certificate of analysis from national or
international organization indicating conformity to standards.
Face shield and goggles:
Since the human to
human transmission of COVID 19 spreads majorly due to contamination of
mucous of eyes, nose and mouth. Here the face shields come into play. The
googles are made of flexible frame.
Gowns and coveralls:
They are designed to protect torso of the health care
provide us from the exposure to virus. As discussed earlier the material used
for manufacturing gowns is the S-M-S fabric . It is impermeable to blood and
other fluids.
Mask’s:
The mask should be properly shaped it should not be collapsed
shoul provide high filtration efficiency, good breathability and fluid
resistance.
Gloves:
Nitrile gloves are preferred over latex gloves as resists
chemicals but mostly latex gloves are used. It help to prevent infection which may
spread from hands.
Shoe and Head Cover:
This cover are made of impermeable fabric to be use over
shoes to facilitate personal protection and head covers to protect head and
neck.
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Very good information about PPE
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