Which method is best suited to assess staff adherence to proper PPE use?

• A. Monitoring inventory of PPE supplies at regular intervals to determine usage
• B. Interviewing staff about donning and doffing processes
• C. Using electronic tools like "burn calculators" to monitor PPE use and supplies
• D. Observing staff donning and doffing PPE, with competency validation

Answer: (D)

Direct observation of how staff don and doff PPE, paired with a formal competency validation, best demonstrates actual adherence because it captures real behavior in the clinical setting, including the correct sequence, proper fit, and technique. This approach provides immediate feedback, verifies the worker can perform the steps correctly, and creates documentation of competency that can be tracked over time.

Monitoring PPE inventory only shows what supplies are available or how much is used; it doesn’t reveal whether staff are using PPE correctly. Interviewing staff relies on memory and self-report, which can be biased or inaccurate. Electronic tools that track PPE use can indicate consumption patterns but cannot confirm whether donning and doffing were performed correctly.

Using direct observation with competency validation helps identify specific gaps, allows targeted coaching, and supports ongoing performance improvement.