The World Health Organization (WHO) has conducted a formal review of personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines for healthcare workers and is updating its guidelines in the context of the current outbreak.

According to a WHO release, these updated guidelines aim to clarify and standardize safe and effective PPE options to protect healthcare workers and patients, as well as provide information for procurement of PPE stock in the current Ebola outbreak. The guidelines are based on a review of evidence of PPE use during care of suspected and confirmed Ebola virus disease patients.

Experts agreed that it was most important to have PPE that protects the mucosae — mouth, nose and eyes — from contaminated droplets and fluids. Given that hands are known to transmit pathogens to other parts of the body, as well as to other individuals, hand hygiene and gloves are essential, both to protect the health worker and to prevent transmission to others. Face cover, protective foot wear, gowns or coveralls, and head cover were also considered essential to prevent transmission to healthcare workers.

"Although PPE is the most visible control used to prevent transmission, it is effective only if applied together with other controls including facilities for barrier nursing and work organization, water and sanitation, hand hygiene, and waste management," said Marie-Paule Kieny of WHO. Benefits derived from PPE depend not only on the choice of PPE, but also the adherence to protocol on use of the equipment.

Read the full release