For decades, M.A. Healy & Sons have been distributing PPE to many Irish industries, ranging from pharma to construction to automotive to food production. One of the most important sectors we supply PPE to is the healthcare industry. Here, it is absolutely critical that the most appropriate PPE is selected, for it can literally mean the difference between life and death. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the more common areas of PPE we supply to healthcare workers. This is not an exhaustive list but gives an overview of the most common types of PPE used in the Irish healthcare sector.

Hand PPE (Gloves) for Healthcare Workers

Disposable nitrile gloves are commonly used by healthcare workers; while latex gloves are available nitrile is often preferred to mitigate risks with latex hypersensitivity. Gloves in healthcare settings should be powder-free, and it is recommended against using vinyl gloves for they are more susceptible to leaks and tears. Polythene gloves are not suitable PPE for us in clinical situations. Brands of hand PPE we supply include Polyco Healthline and Ansell.

Surgical Face Mask PPE for Healthcare Workers

Surgical face masks are a common type of respiratory PPE for healthcare workers. There are two main types of disposable surgical masks used in healthcare environments, Type IIR and Type II. The former is better suited to healthcare scenarios where there is a risk of bodily fluids being splashed. Both have a 98% bacterial filtration rate. Disposable surgical masks provide some degree of protection from respiratory secretion too. 

Respiratory PPE for Healthcare Workers

Respirator masks are essential PPE for healthcare workers engaged in an area where an airborne-transmissable infectious microorganism is or is likely to be present. They are also worn in situations where the patient care area where Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs) associated with an increased risk of infection are performed on people with/likely to have infectious microorganisms transmitted by droplets. FFP2 respirators are usually recommended. Top manufacturers include 3M, BLS, and Cleanspace.

It is essential that the respirator mask is fit-checked and fit-tested for the healthcare worker wearing it, in order for it to be an effective piece of PPE against airborne transmission. Should the respirator mask become damaged or wet it must be changed and disposed of.

Valved respiratory masks should not be used, as an individual with respiratory infections may end up exhaling the infectious particles through the valve and circulate them into the environment, thus adding to the problem rather than helping it.

Disposable Plastic Aprons & Fluid-Resistant Gowns for Healthcare Workers

Disposable plastic aprons are appropriate PPE to protect clothing from contamination in low-contact situations.

However, when there is a risk of bodily fluids (e.g., blood) being splashed, then a fluid-resistant gown is required PPE as a disposable plastic apron does not give sufficient cover to the wearer and their clothes.  

Eye & Face PPE for Healthcare Workers

Eye PPE is used to protect healthcare workers from splashes/sprays/droplets, which can enter the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth. Examples of this PPE include full-face visors and safety goggles.

The above is but a cross-section of PPE used by healthcare workers and is by no means exhaustive. Different healthcare environments call for different types of PPE, and there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. However, M.A. Healy’s has extensive experience in providing PPE to healthcare facilities across Ireland, and if you’d like to discuss the most appropriate PPE to suit your healthcare requirements, please do call our team on 0402 32116 to arrange a free consultation. Alternatively, you can visit our offices in Arklow (less than an hour from Dublin) or Passage West (just outside Cork city).