Why is proper doffing of PPE critical?

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Doffing PPE correctly is the critical moment for stopping the transmission of contaminants you’ve been exposed to. The outer surfaces of PPE can be heavily contaminated, and improper removal can transfer pathogens to your hands, face, or clothes, and even to the environment or other people. By removing PPE in a careful, stepwise way and performing hand hygiene between steps, you keep contaminants on the outer surfaces until they’re safely contained and removed, minimizing the chance of self-contamination and secondary exposure to coworkers or patients. This is why careful doffing is essential, far more than comfort, quickness, or merely ensuring you can don again easily later.