In a triage situation, which personal protective equipment (PPE) should be put on first?

In a triage situation, it is essential to prioritize the order of donning personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure maximum safety and effectiveness in preventing infection transmission. The gown is typically donned first as it provides a protective barrier for the torso, arms, and clothing against contamination from blood, bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious materials. This is essential in a triage environment where exposure risk may be high.

Wearing the gown first helps to establish a protective layer that will shield the wearer from direct contact with patients, ensuring that other layers of PPE, such as gloves, masks, and face shields, can effectively function without being compromised. Once the gown is securely in place, the other PPE items, such as masks, face shields, and gloves, can be added to further protect the healthcare worker.

In this context, other choices like gloves, masks, and face shields are crucial components of PPE, but they are best utilized after the gown is secured, as the gown serves as the foundational protective layer against contamination.