Removal of (doffing) (gown version) personal protective equipment (PPE). Airborne precautions for AGPs
Updated 18 December 2025
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PPE should be removed in an order that minimises the potential for cross contamination. Unless there is a dedicated isolation room with ante room, PPE is to be removed in a systematic way before leaving the patient’s room, that is: gloves, then gown and then eye protection.
The Filtering Facepiece, Class 3 (FFP3) respirator must always be removed outside the patient’s room.
Where possible (dedicated isolation room with ante room) the process should be supervised by a buddy at a distance of 2 metres to reduce the risk of the worker removing PPE and inadvertently contaminating themselves while doffing.
The FFP3 respirator should be removed in the anteroom or lobby. In the absence of an anteroom or lobby, remove FFP3 respirator in a safe area (for example, outside the isolation room).
All PPE must be disposed of as healthcare (including clinical) waste.
The order of removal of PPE
1. Gloves
The outsides of the gloves are contaminated.
Firstly:
- grasp the outside of the glove with the opposite gloved hand and peel off
- hold the removed glove in gloved hand
Then:
- slide fingers of un-gloved hand under the remaining glove at wrist
- peel the remaining glove off over the first glove and discard
- clean hands with alcohol gel
2. Gown
The front of the gown and sleeves will be contaminated.
- unfasten neck, then waist ties
- pull gown away from the neck and shoulders, touching the inside of the gown only, using a peeling motion as the outside of the gown will be contaminated
- turn gown inside out, fold or roll into a bundle and discard into lined waste bin
3. Eye protection (preferably a full-face visor)
The outside will be contaminated.
To remove, use both hands to handle the straps by pulling away from behind and discard.
4. Respirator
In the absence of an anteroom or lobby remove FFP3 respirators in a safe area (for example, outside the isolation room). Clean hands with alcohol hand rub.
Do not touch the front of the respirator as it will be contaminated.
- lean forward slightly
- reach to the back of the head with both hands to find the bottom strap and bring it up to the top strap
- lift straps over the top of the head
- let the respirator fall away from your face and place in bin