Policy Guideline: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Selection
PDF 1.43 MB
Infection control and personal protective equipment (PPE) advice
Hospital based care
This document provides advice on what personal protective equipment (PPE) is required and what type of room is appropriate for the patient.
The matrix has been developed by SA Health Infectious Disease Physicians for use in the care of hospital patients with suspected and confirmed COVID-19. It is mandatory for all SA Health hospital-based staff.
Refer to the Australian Government Department of Health Australian Government Department of Health Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in the context of COVID-19.
Non-hospital based care
The following PPE guides/infographics provide advice for those who work in industries who may be close contact with community members as part of their role. They provide a process for assessing COVID-19 infection control risk and PPE usage.
Aged care
The use of a particulate filter respirator may be required for the care of a resident with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Refer to the Australian Government Department of Health advice:
- Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in the context of COVID-19
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines for infection prevention and control in residential care facilities
- CDNA national guidelines for the prevention, control and public health management of COVID-19 outbreaks in residential care facilities in Australia
Allied Health Professionals and GPs
Child Protection Services
Correction Services and Sheriff’s Office
Disability care providers
Refer to the Australian Government Department of Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for the health and disability sector web page.
Emergency services
Marine industry
The marine industry PPE and infection control practice matrix and recommendations (PDF 116KB) provides advice for persons boarding and leaving a maritime vessel which has recently returned from overseas or a high community transmission zone (excluding cruise ships).
Refer to the Australian Government Department of Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for the marine industry web page.
Primary and Community Healthcare Workers in a non-hospital setting
- Primary and Community HCW PPE guide (PDF 91KB)
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Primary Health Care Services (ACCHS) PPE guide (PDF 233KB)
The COVID 19 fact sheet - Infection control advice for community-based service providers provides general infection control advice and guidance for use of PPE for community-based services in the setting of COVID-19 is currently under review. It provides general infection control advice and guidance for use of PPE for community-based services in the setting of COVID-19.
Also refer to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guide for Home Care Providers for guidance for aged care and disability service providers who offer home care and support services on how to stay safe from COVID-19.
Security personnel
SA Police
PPE and infection control education resources
Infographics, posters and fact sheets
PPE donning and doffing:
- Sequence for donning (putting on) and doffing (taking off) PPE (PDF 242KB)
- Sequencing for donning (putting on) and doffing (putting off) PPE (PDF 2MB)
- Sequencing for donning (putting on) and doffing (putting off) PPE - Coveralls (PDF 2MB)
PFR (i.e. P2/N95 or equivalent) donning, fit checking and doffing:
- P2/N95 respirator (flat or cupped) donning and fit checking (PDF 501KB)
- Donning (putting on) and doffing (taking off) the D95 respirator mask (PDF 439KB)
- D95 Respirator Mask by Detmold FAQ (PDF 960KB)
PPE donning and doffing step signage:
- PPE sequence with PFR (PDF 949KB)
- PPE sequence with surgical mask (PDF 1.1MB)
- PPE sequence with PFR and headwear (PDF 1.4MB)
- PPE sequence with surgical mask and headwear (PDF 1.1MB)
Educational videos
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Nasopharyngeal and Oropharyngeal swab collection
- Airborne precautions (donning and doffing)
- Contact precautions (donning and doffing)
- Droplet precautions (donning and doffing)
- Hand sanitising
- Hand washing
- How to handwash? With soap and water
- How to handrub? With alcohol-based formulation
- Cross-contamination while using disposable gloves
- Donning and fit checking of respirator
Education resources
- Infection Prevention and Control & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) education session (PDF 1MB)
- Particulate Filter Respirators (PFR) education session (PDF 1.1MB)
- COVID-19 Infection Control Training
- Infection control education and training
- PPE training tool for general, including healthcare workers
Additional resources
- National guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in the context of COVID-19
- The use of face masks and respirators in the context of COVID-19
- Hand Hygiene – how to wash or sanitise your hands
Procurement and supply strategies
For information regarding extended use of personal protective equipment refer to the following resources:
- The Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2019)
- SA Health Respiratory Protection Against Airborne Infectious Diseases Clinical Guideline
- Australian Government Department of Health Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the health workforce during COVID-19 webpage.
For enquires regarding procurement advice and assistance please email SA Health Procurement customer service HealthPSCMSCOCustomerService@sa.gov.au.
Waste management
For information on COVID-19 waste management refer to the SA Health COVID-19 waste management for healthcare facilities, community healthcare, residential care facilities, Medi-hotels, COVID-19 testing clinics, airports and home environments factsheet (PDF 142KB)
