How to Properly Remove Exam Gloves and Tyvek Suit

how-to-properly-remove-exam-gloves

How to remove sterile gloves without contaminating yourself.

I am republishing this article, given the coronavirus (Covid-19) situation that is unfolding.

Many people are purchasing “exam gloves”, N95 (or better) masks, and some are buying the “Tyvek coverall suit”.

It is important to know how to take off those exam gloves and the Tyvek suit without contaminating yourself.

It’s fairly easy to put on exam gloves, eye protection, and a protective suit. However there’s a risk when you remove this gear after being in a contaminated environment.

Here’s how to remove exam gloves the right way, and how to ‘doff’ a Tyvek suit.

I found two videos which show the procedures:

How To Properly Remove Exam Gloves

Disposable exam gloves are a physical barrier between you and the substances (infections) you are working with. They’re crucial to avoid contamination while handling or in close proximity to the infected.

They are inexpensive and effective protection from infection –
but only if you remove them properly without contaminating yourself.

Here’s a video from UCLA how to properly remove disposable exam gloves.

https://youtu.be/dyLEd9cng5U

** Exam Gloves on amzn

Donning and Doffing a Tyvek Suit

A Tyvek coverall suit will provide modest protection in a hazardous environment.

The key to avoiding contamination is knowing how to properly remove the coverall suit without contaminating yourself.

Getting out of a suit without recontaminating yourself is not as easy as it looks.

The following video from DuPont shows how to properly remove their Tyvek suit.

** Tyvek Coveralls on amzn

We can be prepared with all sorts of supplies and gear. But knowing how to properly use them could be critical in some situations.

When it comes to infectious disease, there are levels of protection which depend upon the circumstances. Knowing some of the basics (proper removal of gloves and a protective hazmat suit) is a good start…

Tips regarding PPE (personal protective equipment)

In extreme hazard environment:

1. No exposed skin.

2. Two gloves; inside the PPE sleeve and outside the PPE sleeve.

2a. When pulling off the PPE suit, the outer gloves will peel off too. Then, use the gloves that are under to finish removing the outer PPE suit.

3. PPE suit and PPE apron

4. Last thing removed are the inner gloves.

 A mistake is to pull off the gloves THEN pull off the glasses and face mask.

A great tip for securely removing PPE gloves is a toaster (bread) removal tongs. Stick one of the ends of the toast removal tongs in between the glove and your skin. Squeeze the glove and peel it off inside out. Then disinfect afterwards. (Disinfectant Bleach-Water Ratio)

Toaster Tongs on amzn

Some of you readers are in the medical profession. If you care to offer additional advice regarding gloves or suits, let’s hear it…

Continue reading: How to Survive Pandemic

36 Comments

  1. I like both Nitrile and Latex gloves. Have both at the house, Nitrile where I work in a shop. Hundreds of uses besides medical, but use them for wound treating to. Great for in the yard, and when I get stuck doing dishes (sigh). Also for trimming the pets butts.

    1. Forgot to say,yes, there is a proper way to remove gloves when covered in poop. good advice above. Hope things never get so bad that I need one of those suits though.

  2. I wear nitrile gloves all the time at work, I now see cashiers at WM wearing gloves too, not everyone, but usually at least one or two, of the cashiers working that shift….

    Have seen so many people sneeze and or blow nose and then touch handles of door or other commonly used surfaces without cleaning hands….

    When I work I purposely clean surfaces that people commonly touch, door handles, counters, checkout area/pin pads, so I hope to eliminate some of the germs….I have read grocery carts are notoriously bad, but I haven’t been able to clean all of those ;) PS I go through 2 pairs of gloves per shift, taken off properly, amazing how much dirt and grime in a few hours…

    God bless you and your health!

  3. Wore anticontamination clothing for years at work . Getting any type of anticontamination clothing off is not as easy as it looks. The guy in the video contaminated himself several times by the way he “doffed” his clothing, IMHO.(he takes his mask off without gloves) Proper removal is a good thing to think about ahead of time, and practice, practice, practice. When you are dealing with nuclear, hazardous, or infectious materials, one little slip up can mean you get crapped up. Practice with a partner and have them watch, call out your mistakes.

  4. Good stuff
    I forget not everyone knows this.
    That’s kinda sad when I think about it. I might need to get out more often lol

  5. – Have to agree with Minerjim, not the best example. Can I second the motion to have a partner watch and call you out on mistakes. Typically, certain classes of patient are “escorted” in surgery by security officers who just stand in the corner. They don’t touch anything, and are always readily identifiable by what they are wearing incorrectly. We used to laugh at them quietly. When I was a student, we spent about 6 hours in class on these procedures over several days. then a couple of months watching each other.
    – Papa S.

  6. Just reviewed this again. I’d like to add to my comment of last year a few things.
    First, I would recommend that everyone consider taping their joints, (where cuff meets glove, pant leg meets bootie, etc.) Be sure as you tape that you fold over the last little bit to form a tab, easier grab with a gloved hand. Un-taped joints have been shown to allow contaminants under protective clothing by movement.
    Second, I would consider wearing several types of gloves. I used to wear a heavy rubber glove (like for dish washing) on the outside, and two pairs of nitrile or latex disposables underneath. The heavy pair gets the brunt of the contamination, but can be washed (deconned) and reused.
    Thirdly, There are a number of videos out there to help you learn how to “don and doff” PPE. Look up “OSHA Hazwoper ” training. (Hazwoper is what they call their 8,24,40-hour hazardous waste operations training).
    If you are planning on using PPE for any operations the act of ‘donning and doffing’ needs to be practiced in order to get it right. You can use plain coveralls and regular gloves to practice with while a partner watches and calls out mistakes.(this way you do not have to use or damage “good” PPE) You must practice this beforehand. Otherwise “dressing out” in real PPE is worthless, you will likely contaminate yourself ‘doffing’ , or getting out of your PPE. Not trying to be negative here, just passing on what I have learned from real life experience. You can do this. This is a case where practice really does make “perfect”.

  7. Watching that glove video, although those are proper methods, it still looked to me as if she still contaminated herself. 🤔

  8. “A mistake is to pull off the gloves THEN pull off the glasses and face mask.”

    I kinda disagree. The straps for the goggles and mask on the back of your head “might” be contaminated, but it’s safer to assume that gloves “are” contaminated. Grabbing the straps with gloved hands means whatever is on the gloves is now in your hair and back of the neck. Better to remove gloves, disinfect hands, remove goggles and mask, then disinfect hands again. Or so I was taught.

    1. I’ve worked in a BSLIII faculty and in many hospitals…we always remove mask with gloves on, after removing the gown. Important to note the we were always double gloved. The first (definitely dirty) pair of gloves comes off when pulling the gown down the shoulders, inside out and off. The second pair is (hopefully) not contaminated, but you still proceed carefully as if they are. Faceshield next, if a stand alone type, or it is attached to mask and comes off with it. The mask gets grabbed on the front (being careful not to touch face) and pulled forwards well off the face, then either up and away or keep going forward breaking the straps (which you can’t always do, depends on the mask).

  9. What are the odds?

    I have seen a hospital try to decontaminate a ward three times and still have test show positive for some type of bacteria or virus.

    It is suspected that this coronavirus may continue to exist and spread in north America for all of this year and possibly next year.

    Just a question – is a fight for a year only to fail worth the effort, fear, social division, financial ruination, … or is ripping the bandage off quickly best for all of us – catch the flu and take your chances?

    1. have to add – maybe some will have a natural immunity to this virus but go through a year of relative self imposed isolation. That is okay for us hermits but many need social interaction.

      1. Hermit..
        There is a chance that some may be immune, but it is a very, very slight chance.
        You may be immune or you may even catch it and live. You may not be so lucky next year, after it mutates… The Spanish flu lived for 2 years.

      2. There is a school of thought, which says it is better to be infected by the virus early, instead of late, in order to obtain the best medical treatment, BEFORE the hospitals are overwhelmed. Many are dying from this virus due to the degradation of medical services, supplies, and attrition of medical personnel.

        So, be one of the first ten on your block infected!

        1. Ision, good comment, I just read that Africa has Its first case of WU FLU, God help those poor folks in those 3rd. World medical systems.

        2. Was wondering when Africa would become positive. It could spread from there very rapidly because it is 3rd world.

        3. Ision,
          I vote for antivirals and just not get it at ALL.( I have a selection we will rotate.) With the first response of the antivirals being effective BEFORE body recognizes the virus…. Info I have is second exposure KILLS( like FIP.) that Immune response goes bonkers on the hosts body…attacking self. Not enough ventilators and nurses to take care of all “hosts” who require…assistance. Avoidance will be our primary method.
          Thankfully, I have been professionally trained to remove the gloves and exterior covers. Yes If you put one of these suits on…you MUST know how to remove it properly..To NOT know& utilize proper methods =contamination.
          ..I can think about it and do it., being in a hurry is many peoples problem.. slow and steady provides less disturbance and ‘Junk’ flying around… i not have the desire to go back into that world.

  10. How I taught gloves, mask and eye protection to my troops. Seemed to work. Simple and I’m posting it for print out if you cannot get the above videos going during SHTF.

    BTW Glove removal is easy to teach. Grasp the wrist of each glove with a pinching movement, pull off both at same time, drop into ready trash bag. Wash hands before touching anything.

    Mask removal with elastic band using fresh gloves to grasp elastic at back of head and front of contaminated mask, take mask off, drop into ready trash can, remove gloves as above. Wash hands before touching anything. If you have any doubt and frankly a good idea use soap and water to wash face and hair. Human hair is a wonderful reservoir for viruses and bacteria. Thus the use of hats to contain it in the OR and in contaminated areas.

    Eye protection much like mask but have a ready dishpan with a 1 part bleach to 10 parts water to soak for at least 4 minutes submerged. Most need a object to keep submerged as they tend to float. Remove gloves as above. Using fresh gloves remove soaking eye protection to rinse water. Submerging object can remain there for next use.

    Not Hot Zone level training but I think it should be enough for home use. If I need my powered air filter and duct taped biohazard suit outside of my Hospital then it’s time for God to have me.

    Hope this helps

  11. Kinda reminds me on how I dress/undress, before/after cleaning the barn, in the winter…
    Coveralls, gloves, etc

    Nitrile gloves before automotive work and removal of gloves… because of grease, oil.

    Cool idea here….
    Full faced motorcycle helmets.
    Duct taped air entries….
    Beats the humiliation of goggles and N95’s…and looks cool.
    Whatcha all think?

    1. Saw a video once where a man was dealing with untreated sewage, wearing a motorcycle helmet. Not sure if it’s effective, but it gets reactions!

      1. LOL. Probably protected his head from those hard turds, but not much else! Working around raw sewage you want to make sure you have hepatitis A & B vaccinations, just in case.

        1. Minerjim
          Lol
          Ohh my
          Hard turds?
          Really?

          I thought it was head protection from banging his head against the sewage walls….

        2. Joe C,
          You would not believe what shows up in municipal sewer plants! I work for a company that dredges the settling ponds of said plants. The operators tell us all kinds of stories!

      2. Well, dang nabbit,
        I thought I had a thing going with the helmets.

        Too slow, Joe…..
        Is my motto

        That tin foil hat idea…?

        Yeah, me

  12. I recently had to put on a mask that had two straps (not ear loops) and it took me a few tries to remember how – You place the mask in the palm of your hand cupped toward you and so that the straps hang over your hand and face the floor. Then you put the mask over your nose and mouth, then pull the straps over your head. 😷

    1. also- the average relative humidity in Wuhan is around 80%
      oh to be wearing a mask everywhere you go there…

  13. I don’t think we have to worry about protection.

    When China cuts off all our medications and illegal drugs, this country will implode. We did it to ourselves just as Nikita predicted 60 years ago – we thought we could continue to off-shore everything for the cheap labor – now just like Pavlov’s Dogs, we are trained and hooked.

    1. Hermit Us,
      Maybe, just maybe when the phamacetical supplies from China stop coming, some very far-sighted business guys will have seen it coming and open plants here in the US. The lure of big profits is a big motivator. I would bet that a number of drug companies are discussing the coming shortage as we speak, looking for other supplies, considering re-opening plants here or in secure countries. We may be down, but this country is not out yet.

      1. Dennis,
        I agree. It is a very big “maybe” for drug manufacturing to move back here. We can only pray someone on the boards of these companies sees the wisdom of doing this, or maybe opening factories or suppliers in stable countries closer to us..
        Smart of you to get a 6 month supply of prescriptions saved by. My DW doing a similar thing. I am educating myself on herbal antibiotics and antiviral meds in case we can’t get prescription meds in the future.

      2. Minerjim

        “We may be down, but this country is not out yet”

        Just cut off the illegal pills, powder, crystal, … and see how many in this country are dependent – we have no idea what percentage of the population are users – 20% 30% ???

        China has high numbers of heavy smokers and drug addicts – they know how to inflict this damage on our population. Look at the amount of drugs caught at the border and at sea – tons – who uses all this shit – we do.

        1. Hermit
          I just quit a job that every one of the guys on the crew had been or were using meth, smoking dope, or abusing alcohol or all three all at once.
          The management was trying to help out these guys,,,,,
          Yea, great

        2. Kula.
          That reminds me of a guy that I tried to “HELP” out. The guy didn’t show up for 2 days. 3rd day. He showed up and had crack pipe blisters on his lips. Tried to explain to me that he had went to the ER. And the Dr.s told him that he might have the West Nile Virus!!!!!! Told him, sorry to hear you “might” have West Nile Virus….cuz now….you “DON’T” have a job!!

  14. Looks like he touched the INSIDE of his suit with a contaminated glove at 2:07–probably a no-no!

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