Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is any clothing or equipment designed to shield a worker from exposure to hazards, such as infectious agents, chemical splashes, or physical dangers. “Donning” refers to carefully putting on this equipment in a specific sequence to achieve the intended protection. The location where this process occurs is crucial for infection control and worker safety. Proper donning must take place in an area that ensures the equipment remains uncontaminated before the worker enters the hazardous zone.
The Core Principle of Designated Clean Areas
The core principle for putting on PPE is that it must occur in a designated, clean, and uncontaminated area located outside the zone of potential exposure, such as a patient room or laboratory. This clean space serves as a barrier zone, ensuring the protective gear is not compromised by pathogens or hazardous materials before the task begins. In healthcare, this space might be the hallway outside the isolation room, an anteroom, or a Clean Utility Room. Industrial settings may use a staging area or specialized changing room. The area must be clearly demarcated and maintained free of contaminants that could soil the PPE during preparation.
Environmental Requirements for the Donning Space
The donning location must possess specific physical and logistical attributes to support the procedure safely. Adequate space is a requirement, allowing the wearer to move freely and manage the equipment without touching potentially unclean surfaces. Accessibility to all required PPE supplies, such as gowns, masks, and gloves, is also necessary. Clear instructions or procedural signage detailing the correct donning order should be prominently displayed to reinforce training and minimize errors.
Location Variations Based on Contamination Risk
The precise location for donning PPE changes depending on the level of protection required for the task and the associated contamination risk.
Standard Precautions
For procedures requiring only standard precautions, the donning location might be just outside the work area or patient space, provided that area is generally clean. This applies when the risk involves routine contact with body fluids where a gown and gloves are sufficient.
Isolation Precautions
In cases of contact or droplet isolation, donning occurs in the hallway or a dedicated anteroom immediately outside the contaminated room. For airborne isolation, which requires a highly protective respirator (N95 or PAPR), a strictly monitored anteroom is often needed. This anteroom provides a safe space to perform necessary seal checks without compromising the negative pressure environment.
Sterile Environments
For highly controlled sterile environments, such as surgical suites or pharmaceutical compounding cleanrooms, the donning process is more rigorous. The procedure must take place in a specialized area, often a sterile core or a sequence of increasingly clean rooms (e.g., ISO Class 7 or 8 area). This multi-stage preparation prevents the introduction of microscopic particulates into the ultra-clean zone.
Distinction Between Donning and Doffing Locations
The location for removing (doffing) PPE is fundamentally different from the location for putting it on. Donning is performed exclusively in a clean area to protect the wearer before exposure. Conversely, doffing involves handling contaminated gear and must contain the hazard to prevent environmental spread. Doffing typically occurs either inside the contaminated zone, such as the patient room, or immediately at the exit threshold, before entering the clean area. This procedural separation ensures the clean donning area is strictly protected from soiled items.