What type of personal care equipment is used most frequently by direct care workers?

Gloves are the type of personal care equipment most frequently used by direct care workers because they play a crucial role in infection control and maintaining hygiene. When providing personal care, workers often come into contact with bodily fluids, skin lesions, or contaminated surfaces. By wearing gloves, direct care workers protect both themselves and the individuals they assist from potential cross-contamination and the transmission of pathogens.

Gloves are essential in various tasks, such as assisting with bathing, dressing, or handling any materials that may pose a health risk. Their widespread use is dictated not only by safety protocols and guidelines but also by the need to ensure that both care providers and recipients remain healthy and safe.

Other types of personal protective equipment, such as goggles or face masks, have more specific uses, primarily in situations that involve exposure to respiratory droplets or splashes. While gowns provide a barrier for larger bodily fluids, they are not as frequently needed for everyday tasks compared to gloves, making gloves the most commonly used item among direct care workers.