After removing PPE, what is the final step to prevent transmission?

• A. Reuse PPE after sanitizing.
• B. Perform hand hygiene.
• C. Dispose of PPE in patient room trash.
• D. Wash hands only if they are visibly dirty.

Answer: (B)

After removing PPE, the final step to prevent transmission is performing hand hygiene. Hands are easy to contaminate during the doffing process, so cleaning them right away removes any lingering pathogens and protects you, patients, and coworkers. Use soap and water if hands are visibly dirty; otherwise, an alcohol-based hand rub is usually sufficient. This step is essential even if you don’t see dirt, because it directly reduces the chance of spreading organisms. Reusing PPE, disposing of it in the patient room trash, or washing only when hands are visibly dirty don’t address the critical need to eliminate potential contamination on your hands before you leave the area.