Additional Guidelines on Rational Use of Personal Protective Equipment
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare issued additional guideline for health care workers and others working in Non COVID hospitals and NonCOVID treatment areas of a hospital which has a COVID block.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Directorate General of Health Services
[Emergency Medical Relief]
(Updated on 15th May 2020)
Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Additional guidelines on rational use of Personal Protective Equipment (setting approach for Health functionaries working in non-COVID areas)
1. About this guideline
This guideline is for health care workers and others working in Non COVID hospitals and Non COVID treatment areas of a hospital which has a COVID block. These guidelines are in continuation of guidelines issued previously on ‘Rational use of Personal Protective Equipment’ (https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesonrationaluseofPersonalProtectiveEquipment.pdf). This guideline uses “settings” approach to guide on the type of personal protective equipment to be used in different settings.
2. Rational use of PPE for Non COVID hospitals and Non-COVID treatment areas of a hospital which has a COVID block
The PPEs are to be used based on the risk profile of the health care worker. The document describes the PPEs to be used in different settings.
2.1.Out Patient Department
#All hospitals should identify a separate triage and holding area for patients with Influenza like illness
so that suspect COVID cases are triaged and managed away from the main out-patient department.
2.2.In-patient Department (Non-COVID Hospital &Non-COVID treatment areas of a hospital which
has a COVID block)
2.3.Emergency Department (Non-COVID)
Points to remember while using PPE
1. Standard precaution to be followed at all times
2. PPEs are not alternative to basic preventive public health measures such ashand hygiene, respiratory etiquettes which must be followed at all times.
3. Always follow the laid down protocol for disposing off PPEs as detailed in infection prevention and control guideline available on website of MoHFW.
In addition, patients and their attendants to be encouraged to put on face cover.
In case a COVID-19 patient is detected in such Non-COVID Health facility, the MoHFW guidelines for the same has to be followed (Available at: