Doctors, nurses and other medical personnel are exposed to all kinds of infections while they are taking care of and examining patients. Nurses more so than the doctors as they have to have close contact with the patients no matter what infection they have. Doctors and nurses cannot refuse to treat any patient as it is against their professional ethics and even if there is a patient with full blown aids they would have to treat them and give them all the care required. True many diseases do not get passed on with just minimum contact, but there are occasions when the body fluids of patients may spurt on the person attending on them and get into their eyes and mouth or on cuts in their own skin and be cause enough for concern.
It is for this reason that there are mandatory precautions which are forced upon nurses, doctors and other people assisting in hospitals and nursing homes. Personal protection equipment or PPE is a must and there are WHO guide lines on what should be worn and how else to protect themselves. PPE is worn when close contact with patients with infectious diseases is anticipated. Some of these diseases are HIV and AIDS, Avian Influenza, Dengue fever, Rabies and many other infections which could prove to be life threatening.
Some of the crucial points which should be kept in mind when selecting PPE for the medical staff start with surgical masks to ensure that infections which are carried in the air are not breathed by the attendant; protection for the eyes, FFP respirator,lab coats, surgical mask, nursing scrubs, medical uniforms and gown made of a material which can be washed and sterilized thoroughly like plastic; and hand gloves which are long enough to cover most of the arm.
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