When doffing PPE, which item should be removed just before washing hands?

The appropriate item to remove just before washing hands is goggles. This is because goggles protect the eyes from exposure to potentially infectious materials, and it is important to avoid contaminating the hands during the doffing process. By removing the goggles last, you can ensure that you do not inadvertently touch your face or eyes with contaminated gloves or other PPE items.

Removing goggles last also aligns with infection control protocols, which emphasize the importance of keeping hands clean. After removing the goggles, this is the final step before performing hand hygiene, thereby minimizing the risk of infection spread.

In the context of doffing PPE, the order matters significantly to safeguard against contamination. Other items, such as gloves, gowns, and masks, each have their designated removal order to help prevent the transfer of pathogens. However, goggles fall into a specific category of items that are less likely to be contaminated until the very end of the process.