Tip - Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic: Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers

During an influenza pandemic, healthcare workers will be on the front lines delivering care to patients and preventing further spread of the disease. One vital aspect of pandemic influenza planning is the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) that will be used by healthcare workers and others in their day-to-day patient care responsibilities. In 2006, the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to conduct a study on the personal protective equipment needed by healthcare workers in the event of an influenza pandemic.