Types of PPE
The ‘level’ of PPE is matched to the clinical environment and the
procedures being undertaken. Generally the levels are categorised as
standard, or those that are designed to mitigate against contact,
droplet or airborne pathogensa and enhanced PPE (full-body) for highly
infectious or ‘high-consequence’ pathogens. A Cochrane review evaluated
the effect of full-body PPE used by HCWs exposed to
highly
infectious diseases, defined as causing such as Ebola Virus Disease,
COVID-19 and severe acute respiratory syndrome
(SARS).3 The review highlighted eight studies
comparing types of whole-body PPE. Key to efficacy was a better fitting
gown around the neck, wrists and hands (relative risk, RR
0.08, 95% confidence interval, CI
0.01-0.55), a better cover of the gown‐wrist interface (RR 0.45, 95% CI
0.26-0.78). Covering more parts of the body could provide a better
protection. For example, a powered, air-purifying respirator with
coverall may protect better than an N95 mask with a gown (RR 0.27, 95%
CI 0.17- 0.43). However, these conclusions were based on simulation
studies with small sample sizes.3