Question Number 13
It took many decades of scientific advancement and evolving perspectives in medicine for healthcare providers to have the personal protective equipment we know today.
The plague doctor uniform is an early example of PPE, even though it was based on a misunderstanding of how disease spread. It wasn’t until the 1950s that full, appropriate medical gear was worn.
The first surgical gloves were made in 1893 by Goodyear. The first surgical masks came four years later. Unfortunately, these revolutionary inventions weren’t taken seriously until decades later, which may have cost many their lives.
PPE is a vital part of the healthcare industry. It is designed to protect both the wearer and the patient. Surgical masks are meant to keep surgeons from coughing or sneezing on a patient, while N-95 respirators and their early predecessors are meant to prevent airborne diseases from being breathed in.
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