Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential when dealing with blood and body fluids?

Gloves are essential personal protective equipment (PPE) when dealing with blood and body fluids because they serve as a barrier to protect the skin from direct contact with potentially infectious materials. This is crucial in a healthcare setting, where exposure to bloodborne pathogens, such as HIV and hepatitis B and C viruses, is a real risk.

When gloves are worn appropriately, they help minimize the likelihood of transmission of pathogens from the patient to the healthcare worker and vice versa. They are designed to be single-use, providing an effective means to maintain a clean environment and prevent cross-contamination.

While other PPE like goggles, face masks, and plastic aprons also play important roles in infection control, they are typically secondary to gloves when it comes to handling blood and body fluids. Goggles and face masks protect against splashes to the eyes and face, and plastic aprons can help protect clothing, but gloves are specifically required to safeguard against direct exposure to contaminants.