When is it necessary for a medical assistant to use personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Using personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential in medical settings to protect both healthcare providers and patients from potential exposure to infectious materials and contaminants. When administering injections, the medical assistant has a direct interaction with a patient's bodily fluids and tissues, which could pose a risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens or infectious agents. Therefore, wearing appropriate PPE, such as gloves, masks, and sometimes goggles or face shields, is critical in this scenario to maintain safety and compliance with infection control protocols.

In contrast, activities like documenting patient information, conducting patient interviews, or filing medical records typically do not involve direct exposure to blood or bodily fluids, thereby not necessitating the use of PPE. These tasks are more administrative and do not share the same level of risk associated with direct patient care procedures such as injections.