During doffing, what is the recommended action immediately after removing PPE?

During doffing, what is the recommended action immediately after removing PPE?

• A. Hand hygiene before removal
• B. Hand hygiene after removal
• C. No hygiene needed
• D. Wash PPE only

Answer: (B)

Hand hygiene immediately after removing PPE is essential to prevent transferring any contaminants from the gear to your skin, face, or other surfaces. When you take off PPE, the outer surfaces can still be contaminated, and touching your face or other objects with bare hands could carry those contaminants into your body or to others. Cleaning your hands right after removal decontaminates them before further contact is made. If your hands are visibly dirty, wash with soap and water; otherwise, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is appropriate. Washing PPE itself isn’t a valid decontamination step, and performing hygiene before removal doesn’t reliably remove contaminants from the PPE or prevent self-contamination during the doffing process.