A question that often arises in the minds of healthcare professionals is why is PPE important in healthcare? Many questions such as those pertaining to healthcare safety and infection control are concerned with the functionality and effectiveness of personal protective equipment (PPE). Personal protective equipment or PPE includes gowns, gloves, masks, boots, and respirators. These are all important but not enough to ensure the protection of medical staff and patients. One question that often arises is why is PPE so important in healthcare.
A good healthcare facility ensures a safe environment for staff and patients by ensuring the proper use of personal protective equipment or PPE. Some things that are done to maintain a safe environment include removing trash and clutter, checking the temperature and humidity of the facility, filling water and food containers according to sanitary standards, and ensuring that all staff is wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment or PPE. This helps to prevent the transmission of infections and contagious diseases from one patient to another. Staff can be infected with various illnesses and diseases due to contact with the infected patients and/or with the harmful bacteria, germs, and other pathogens found in healthcare facilities. It is these infections and diseases that reduce the productivity of healthcare and cost the hospital plenty of money in treating them.
Why is PPE important in healthcare Professionals?
One of the most important benefits that come with using PPE is the reduction of disability compensation claims arising out of work-related accidents and injuries. Hospitals benefit from reduced disability payouts when their PPE equipment is verified to be efficient. This reduces the expense of maintaining the PPE equipment in hospitals, thereby reducing healthcare expenses.
Reduce the Risk of Infections
The risk of developing infections while working in a healthcare facility is high. Prolonged exposure to sick and infected patients is one of the main causes of infections. For example, one might come into contact with a patient who has diabetes and end up contracting a bacterial infection. Such an infection could then spread to another patient who may already have a bacterial infection and cause severe damage to the limb or may even result in amputation of the infected limb. This type of situation could occur if the staff was not wearing the proper PPE.
PPE Protects from UV Ray
PPE in healthcare facilities also helps to protect the workers from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation (UV). Medical equipment and sources within the healthcare facility produce this form of radiation. This radiation has been known to lead to various skin conditions such as cataracts and cancer. Employees who are regularly exposed to UV rays are at increased risk of developing cataracts. If they were not wearing the proper PPE to protect themselves from this radiation, they could develop serious medical conditions such as cancer and cataracts.
Protects from Various Infectious Diseases
Another reason why is PPE important in healthcare facilities is to protect the staff from infectious diseases. This is because healthcare workers are more likely to come into contact with infections if they are wearing the wrong attire. Some of these infections include Staphylococcus aureus, a disease that can easily lead to serious health problems. For this reason, healthcare workers who do not wear protective clothing are more prone to developing serious infections.
Protect from Germs
The other way PPE helps to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases is that it prevents the transfer of germs. If the staff on staff are not wearing protective clothing, they can easily become infected. This will also affect other members of the staff, who cannot properly remove the bacteria from their bodies and infect others.
There are many reasons why is PPE important in healthcare facilities. One is so that the healthcare staff will be more resistant to illnesses and diseases. If staffs wear the PPEs, they will be more likely to return to work again. And without feeling ill and without worrying about spreading the illness. This helps to maintain the health and happiness of patients and staff alike. Wearing PPE can help to achieve this goal.