In the correct order of doffing PPE, what is the first item to be removed?

The first item to be removed when doffing personal protective equipment (PPE) is gloves. This is crucial because gloves are designed to protect the wearer from contamination and help to prevent the spread of pathogens. Removing gloves first minimizes the risk of touching your face or exposed skin with contaminated surfaces.

After gloves are removed, it's important to follow proper protocols for removing the remaining items in the correct sequence to further reduce the risk of contamination. Typically, the gown would be next, followed by goggles and finally the mask. This sequence ensures that the areas of the body that are most likely to be contaminated are dealt with first, thereby maintaining safety for the healthcare worker and preventing cross-contamination.