Definitions and Categorization of PPE

The usual definition of personal protective equipment is protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection.  In the case of COVID19, from infection. 

Personal protective equipment or PPE, especially in the Philippines, has a common connotation of the protective clothing only.  However, loosely speaking, PPE is more than the protective clothing.  It includes everything from alcohol to gloves to face masks, face shields, googles, helmets, hazmat suits, overalls, shoe covers, acrylic boxes, etc.

Another popular term in PPE is a hazmat suit which stands for hazardous material suit. It is also known as a decontamination suit.  It is a piece of personal protective equipment that consists of an impermeable whole-body garment worn as a protection against hazardous materials. . Such suits are often combined with self-contained breathing apparatus to ensure a supply of breathable air. 

So, for an operational definition, particularly in the COVID19 crisis and in the healthcare setting, PPE consists of any materials that protect a person (a physician, a nurse, a paramedical staff, etc.) from being infected by COVID persons when interacting and managing them.

There are so many categorization systems of PPE in the literature. Most would have a categorization system of what is or are being protected such as eye protection, hand protection, respiratory system protection, etc.  Another categorization system is based on categories of sophistication (Levels 1, 2, and 3, etc.)

I like to propose three categories of PPE for common understanding in communication and when using the word PPE when donating or asking for donation.

"I want to donate PPE." What does this "PPE" mean?

"We are seeking donations of PPE." What does this "PPE" mean?

ROJoson's Proposal:

1. Basic or elemental PPE - gloves, surgical face masks, etc.

2. Hazmat PPE - complete attire covering the entire body (coveralls, googles, masks, face shields, boots or shoe covers, gloves, etc.)

3 Accessory PPE - face shields, googles, acrylic boxes, acrylic swab shields, etc. (used individually or in combination but falling short of complete hazmat PPE.

"I want to donate PPE." What does this "PPE" mean? 

"We are seeking donations of PPE." What does this "PPE" mean?

If one cannot answer using the 3-category names mentioned above, because of varied kinds of PPE to be donated that cut across the 3 categories and not strictly falling into one category, then one just has to specify the types of PPE and the quantity to be donated or solicited.

Examples: 

"I want to donate basic or elemental PPE."  This is the simplest level of intention of donations. This means the donation will include alcohol, gloves and surgical masks, etc.

"I want to donate mostly basic or elemental PPE, but I will include some accessory PPE like acrylic boxes and swab shields and N95 masks."  

"I want to donate 20 sets of hazmat PPE."  This is the highest level of intention of donations.This means the donation will include 20 sets of complete attire covering the entire body (coveralls, googles, masks, face shields, boots or shoe covers, gloves, etc.).

"I want to donate accessory PPE.  I will donate 50 face shields and N95 masks."

"I want to donate accessory PPE.  I will donate 20 acrylic boxes and swab shields."

Will validate this categorization of PPE. Welcome comments.

Further study and research (May 15, 2020):

PPE - Personal Protective Equipment

"Special covering" to protect health care workers (HCW) from being infected by the splashes and sprays from COVID19 patients.

Collective term of wearable equipment and gear that’s meant to protect the wearer from being infected with COVID19.

Protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from COVID19.

Collation of various definitions:

Personal Protective Equipment against COVID19 is a collective term for wearable equipment, gear and other special covering that aim to protect the wearer from being infected with "splashes and sprays" from COVID19 patients.

Alcohol is not part of the definition of PPE - not worn.

Aerosol shield boxes are not part of the definition of PPE - not worn.

Categorization:

• Respirators - face masks, N95, KN85, others

• Eye Protectors - goggles, face shields, others

• Protective clothing - overalls, coveralls, surgical caps, gloves, shoe covers, others

Differences between overalls, coveralls and hazmat suit

Coverall will refer to the full body-suit garment.

Hazmat suit will refer to the coverall.

Overall will refer to the garment that clips over the shoulders.

ROJ@20apr4;20may15