PPE

Medical abbreviation · Hospital

PPE
Stands forPersonal protective equipment
CategoriesMedical

PPE stands for Personal protective equipment, a hospital abbreviation.

Gloves, gowns, masks, respirators, face shields and goggles worn to protect healthcare workers and patients from infection and hazardous exposures. Required PPE depends on the type of precautions.

Example: Contact plus precautions: gown and gloves, PPE removed before exiting room.

Usage notes

N95 respirators must be fit-tested under OSHA rules, unlike surgical masks. Correct order for putting on and removing PPE (donning and doffing) prevents self-contamination. The COVID-19 pandemic made PPE shortages and reuse a public issue.

More hospital abbreviations

  • PACU – Post-anesthesia care unit
  • PASS – Pull, aim, squeeze, sweep
  • PCMH – Patient-centered medical home
  • PCU – Progressive care unit
  • PGY – Postgraduate year
  • PICU – Pediatric intensive care unit
  • QI – Quality improvement
  • RACE – Rescue, alarm, contain, extinguish
  • RHC – Rural health clinic
  • RRT – Rapid response team
  • SCN – Special care nursery
  • SDS – Safety data sheet

See all 89 hospital abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.