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Personal Protective Equipment

This page includes information about personal protective equipment (PPE) in B.C.
Last updated: April 27, 2023

For health professionals

Patients with suspected and/or confirmed COVID-19 disease require Contact and Droplet precautions to be used

Masks, respirators and eye and facial protection

PPE Audit Tool

  • The PPE Audit tool is intended for health authorities’ auditors and site administrators to help them assess health-care worker competency and compliance with personal protective equipment (PPE) donning and doffing procedures when providing care to patients confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19. - New March 19, 2021

Steps for putting on (donning) personal protective equipment

Steps for taking off (doffing) personal protective equipment for droplet and contact precautions

Steps for taking off (doffing) personal protective equipment for airborne precautions (includes AGMP)

Additional information on PPE


Use of a Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR)

Current knowledge about the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 does not indicate the need for PAPR use. There may be unique individual circumstances (e.g. facial structure, unable to be successfully fit tested for an N-95 respirator) that potentially interfere with correct surgical mask or N95 respirator use. In these cases, consult your health authority Workplace Health and Safety, Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention and Control personnel. In some health care workers roles such as BC Ambulance/BCEHS paramedics, where transport times may be very long and occur in a small closed space PAPR use may be warranted.



Provincial PPE supply
Pandemic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Allocation Framework

This document guides health care providers in determining what type of PPE individuals working or visiting in health care settings will receive in the event of a pandemic when demand for PPE overwhelms supply.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supply, Assessment, Testing and Distribution Protocol 

  • Supply, Assessment, Testing and Distribution Protocol - May 1, 2020 - This documents discusses the following themes and includes a flowchart:
    • How is B.C. sourcing PPE?
    • How is B.C. determining the safety and efficacy of PPE prior to decisions about use?
    • How is B.C. ensuring that appropriate PPE is being delivered to health care settings in a safe and efficient manner?
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