PPE for Droplet Precautions: The 4 Essential Items You Must Wear

When someone coughs, sneezes, or even talks, tiny respiratory droplets can travel through the air and spread infection to people nearby. That’s why PPE plays such an important role in protecting healthcare workers, aged-care staff, carers, and anyone supporting people who may be unwell.

Droplet precautions are used for illnesses that spread through these short-range droplets — conditions like influenza, whooping cough, COVID-19, and meningococcal disease. The goal is simple: create a protective barrier so droplets can’t reach your nose, mouth, eyes, skin, or clothing.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the four essential PPE items required for droplet precautions, why each one matters, and how they work together to keep you safe.

What are droplet precautions?

Droplet precautions are a set of safety steps used when caring for someone with an infection that spreads through respiratory droplets.

When a person with one of these infections coughs, sneezes, laughs or talks, tiny wet particles come out of their mouth and nose. These droplets are:

• Heavy and wet – they usually travel only about 1–2 metres
  
• Short-lived in the air – they fall onto nearby surfaces fairly quickly
  
• Infectious – if they land on your eyes, nose, or mouth, they can pass on germs

Because of this, anyone working close to the person (or their environment) needs extra protection.

Droplet vs airborne vs contact – what’s the difference?

It helps to understand how droplet precautions fit in with other types of transmission:

Contact transmission

• Germs spread mainly through touch – for example, faeces, body fluids, or contaminated surfaces.

Droplet transmission

• Germs spread in larger respiratory droplets that travel a short distance (up to about 1–2 metres).

Airborne transmission

• Germs spread in tiny particles that can stay suspended in the air for longer and travel further.

Most common respiratory infections seen in hospitals, aged care and the community (like flu, whooping cough, many respiratory viruses) are managed with droplet precautions, not full airborne precautions.

Read related article: RSV vs. COVID-19 vs. Influenza: All You Need to Know

When are droplet precautions used?

Droplet precautions are typically recommended for infections such as:

• Influenza (flu)
  
• COVID-19 (depending on local guidelines and risk level)
  
• Pertussis (whooping cough)
  
• Mumps
  
• Meningococcal disease
  
• Some other viral respiratory infections

You’ll see droplet precautions used in:

• Hospitals and emergency departments
  
• GP clinics and respiratory clinics
  
• Aged care and disability care facilities
  
• Home care or community nursing when caring for someone with suspected or confirmed infection

Read related article: Top 22 Essentials Every Home Carer Needs

The 4 essential PPE items for droplet precautions

When you’re caring for someone with an infection that spreads through respiratory droplets, these four PPE items work together to create a reliable barrier. Let’s break down what each item does, why it matters, and how it should be used.

1. Mask (surgical or medical mask)

A mask is the primary defence against droplets entering your nose or mouth — the main pathways for infection. But not all masks offer the same level of protection, and knowing the difference helps you choose the right one for the situation.

Surgical mask vs medical/P2/N95 mask — what’s the difference?

Surgical masks

• Designed to protect others from the wearer’s respiratory droplets
  
• Also protect the wearer from larger droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, or talking
  
• Commonly used in healthcare, aged care, home care, and general clinical environments
  
• Comfortable for prolonged use

To know more about the differences between surgical masks and P2/N95 respirators and usage check out our article here: Surgical Masks vs. P2 Masks.

P2/N95 respirators (medical masks)

P2 and N95 respirators offer a higher level of protection than surgical masks because they are designed to filter out very small airborne particles, including fine aerosols that can remain suspended in the air. These respirators create a tight seal on the face, ensuring air passes through the filter rather than around the edges.

What they do:

• Protect the wearer from smaller airborne particles, not just droplets
  
• Filter at least 94% (P2) or 95% (N95) of fine aerosols
  
• Used when caring for patients with airborne infections (e.g., measles, tuberculosis, chickenpox)
  
• Required for aerosol-generating procedures such as suctioning, intubation, or nebuliser use
  
• Must undergo fit-testing and fit-checking to ensure the respirator seals properly

P2 vs N95

Although P2 and N95 are often used interchangeably in healthcare, they follow different international standards:

What this means in practice:

• The filtration difference (94% vs 95%) is extremely small, and both provide strong respiratory protection.
  
• Both must form a tight facial seal to work properly.
  
• P2 masks are the Australian standard, while N95 masks meet the US certification, but both are widely used in Australian healthcare settings.
  
• Performance in real-world conditions is very similar — the key factor is fit, not filtration rating.

For droplet precautions:

A surgical mask is usually sufficient because droplets fall quickly and don’t stay suspended in the air. However, a P2/N95 mask may be needed if:

• The patient is also suspected of having an airborne illness
  
• You’re performing procedures that may create aerosols (e.g., suctioning)
  
• You want extra protection due to prolonged or close contact

How to use surgical mask or respirators correctly:

• Put your mask on before entering the patient’s room.
  
• Ensure it fits snugly over the nose, mouth, and chin.
  
• Avoid touching the mask while wearing it.
  
• Remove it immediately after leaving the care area.
  
• Dispose of it properly and perform hand hygiene straight away.

2. Gloves

Gloves create a protective barrier between your hands and contaminated surfaces, helping prevent the spread of infection. Because hands are constantly touching bed rails, clothing, medical equipment, door handles and the patient themselves, they are one of the most common ways germs transfer from one place to another. Wearing gloves — and using them correctly — is essential for droplet precautions.

Why they’re essential:

• Prevent direct contact with respiratory droplets
  
• Reduce the risk of carrying germs to your face or other surfaces
  
• Help protect the patient by preventing transfer of organisms from your hands
  
• An important safeguard during tasks involving bodily fluids or close physical contact

Types of gloves and when they’re used

Different glove materials are used in healthcare and care settings depending on the task. The main options you’ll see are nitrile, vinyl, and latex gloves — each with its own strengths.

• Nitrile gloves are highly durable, puncture-resistant, and offer strong protection against chemicals and bodily fluids. They’re the most popular choice in healthcare because they balance safety, comfort, and strength.
  

• Vinyl gloves are more affordable and suitable for short, low-risk tasks such as food handling or quick clinical interactions. They are less form-fitting but useful when frequent glove changes are needed.
  

• Latex gloves are flexible and offer excellent dexterity, but because some people have latex allergies, they’re used less often in clinical environments today.

To understand how these glove materials differ and when each type is most appropriate, see our guide on the differences between nitrile, vinyl and latex gloves.

But why are there different colours for gloves?

You might also notice gloves come in different colours — blue, black, purple, white, and more. These colours aren’t just for appearance. In many workplaces, colour coding helps:

• Prevent cross-contamination between tasks
  
• Identify glove breaches more easily (e.g., black gloves in food or hospitality)
  
• Separate clinical use from cleaning or chemical tasks
• Assist staff in visually confirming proper glove use in specific zones

For example, black nitrile gloves are commonly used in cleaning and tattoo settings, while blue or purple gloves are standard in healthcare.

How to use gloves correctly:

• Put gloves on immediately before entering the patient’s care area
  
• Change gloves between tasks if they become dirty or damaged
  
• Never touch your face, mask, or personal items while wearing gloves
  
• Remove gloves inside-out before leaving the room
  
• Wash or sanitise hands straight after removal, as gloves do not replace hand hygiene

Correct glove use protects both the wearer and the patient. But gloves are only effective when paired with good hand hygiene and proper disposal.

3. Gown or apron

A gown or apron protects your clothing and skin from droplets, splashes, and contaminated surfaces.

Why it’s essential

• Droplets don’t only land on faces — they often fall onto sleeves, uniforms, and front-of-body surfaces
  
• Clothing can hold contamination and spread it to other patients or environments
  
• Gowns and aprons act as a washable/disposable shield

How to use it correctly:

• Wear a gown or apron when performing close-contact care such as feeding, bathing, repositioning, or cleaning
  
• Ensure it ties properly at the neck and waist
  
• Avoid touching the front of the gown when removing it
  
• Dispose of it safely or place it in the appropriate laundry system

This is especially important in aged care, home care, and clinical settings where carers often work close to residents for extended periods.

4. Eye protection (goggles or face shields)

Droplets can enter through the eyes, which makes eye protection a crucial but often overlooked part of droplet PPE.

Why it’s essential

• Mucous membranes in the eyes are vulnerable entry points
  
• Coughing, sneezing, and even talking at close range can send droplets upward or sideways
  
• Eye protection also prevents you from accidentally rubbing your eyes with contaminated hands

How to use it correctly

• Wear goggles or a face shield during all close interactions
  
• If reusable, clean and disinfect according to workplace guidelines
  
• Always remove eye protection by handling the side arms or strap — not the front

How to put on and remove PPE safely (according to Australian Guidelines)

Using PPE correctly is just as important as the equipment itself. The Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2019) provide a standardised sequence for putting on (donning) and removing (doffing) PPE to minimise the risk of contamination and cross-infection.

How to put on PPE (Donning)

(Before patient contact and generally before entering the room).

1. Perform hand hygiene

This prevents transferring germs from your hands onto your PPE. Use either soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.

2. Gown (if required)

• Fully covers torso from neck to knees and arms to the wrists
  
• Wraps around the back
  
• Fasten at the neck and waist

3. Mask or P2/N95 Respirator (if required)

• Secure ties or elastic bands around the head and neck
  
• Ensure a snug fit over nose and mouth
  
• Perform a fit check if using a P2/N95 respirator. (These must seal properly to work effectively)

4. Protective eyewear or face shield

• Place over eyes and adjust to fit comfortably

5. Gloves

• Put gloves on last
  
• Extend the glove cuff to cover the wrist and overlap the gown

How to remove PPE (Doffing)

(Remove PPE at the doorway for standard, contact, and droplet precautions, or in an anteroom for airborne precautions).

Removing PPE correctly is critical — this is when most contamination occurs.

1. Remove gloves

Because the outer surface of the gloves can carry germs, remove them carefully without touching your skin.

• Grasp the outside of one glove with the opposite gloved hand
  
• Peel off and hold it in your remaining gloved hand
  
• Slide fingers of the ungloved hand under the wrist of the remaining glove
  
• Peel off and discard immediately

2. Perform hand hygiene

Always clean your hands after taking off gloves — tiny amounts of contamination can still transfer during glove removal.

3. Remove gown

The front and sleeves of the gown are considered contaminated, so avoid touching these areas when taking it off.

• Unfasten ties
  
• Pull gown away from neck and shoulders, touching only the inside
  
• Turn it inside out, roll it into a bundle, and discard

(Some workplaces allow gloves and gown to be removed together as one step, then perform hand hygiene.)

4. Remove protective eyewear or face shield

• Remove by touching the side arms, strap, or headband only
  
• Place in reprocessing/waste container
  
• Perform hand hygiene if contaminated

5. Remove mask

Since the front of the mask can be contaminated with droplets, always remove it by the straps and avoid touching the outer surface.

• Remove by holding bottom then top ties/elastics
  
• Discard immediately

6. Perform hand hygiene again

Finish with hand hygiene to make sure any remaining germs are removed and to fully complete the doffing process safely.

Key takeaways

Understanding why each item of PPE is required and how to use it correctly makes a significant difference in keeping both carers and patients safe. Masks, gloves, gowns or aprons, and eye protection each play a different role — and when they’re used in the right sequence, they create a complete barrier against infectious droplets.

Whether you work in healthcare, aged care, disability support, home care, or any environment where respiratory infections may be present, following these steps helps reduce the risk of transmission, protects vulnerable individuals, and supports safer everyday care.

The key to effective droplet protection is consistency:

✔ put PPE on in the correct order,
✔ remove it safely without contaminating yourself,
✔ and always finish with hand hygiene.

Small actions, done properly, make a big difference in preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses.

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