20 June 2022 | Technical document Standard precautions aim to protect both health workers and patients by reducing the risk of transmission of microorganisms from both recognized and unrecognized sources. They are the minimum standard of infection prevention and control practices that should be used by
all health-care workers, during the care of all patients, at all times, in all settings. When applied consistently, standard precautions can prevent the transmission of microorganisms between patients, health workers and the environment. This aide-memoire presents a concise overview of important advice for implementation and key elements at a glance. Editors World Health Organization Reference numbersOverview
WHO Reference Number: WHO/UHL/IHS/IPC/2022.1
Precautions
- Precautions Home
- Standard Precautions
- Contact Precautions
- Droplet Precautions
- Airborne Precautions
- Full Barrier Precautions
Infection Control Precautions
Infection control precautions are a set of standard recommendations for designed to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious agents from body fluids or environmental surfaces that contain infectious agents.
These precautions include the use of personal protective equipment that serve as barriers to protect against contact with infectious materials.
- Standard Precautions
Standard precautions are the basic level of infection control that should be used in the care of all patients in all settings to reduce the risk of transmission of organisms that are both recognized and unrecognized. - Contact
Precautions
Contact precautions should be utilized when direct or indirect contact with contaminated body fluids, equipment or the environment is anticipated. - Droplet Precautions
Droplet precautions should be utilized when working within 3 feet of a patient who is coughing or sneezing or during procedures that result in dispelling droplets into the air. - Airborne Precautions
Airborne precautions should be utilized when exposure to microorganisms transmitted via the airborne route is anticipated – including procedures such as nebulizing, suctioning, intubation. - Full Barrier Precautions
Full barrier precautions should be utilized for diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome [SARS], hemorrhagic disease, and all known and suspect avian and pandemic influenza patients.
CDC: Isolation Precautions Guideline
CDC's guideline, includes sections on evolution of isolation practices and recommendations for isolation precautions in hospitals.
Last
Updated: 10/04/2022
Precautions
- Precautions Home
- Standard Precautions
- Contact Precautions
- Droplet Precautions
- Airborne Precautions
- Full Barrier Precautions
Standard Precautions
Standard precautions are the basic level of infection control that should be used in the care of all patients all of the
time.
- Use standard precautions in the care of all patients to reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms from both recognized and non-recognized sources of infection.
- Applies to blood, all body fluids, secretions and excretions [except sweat] whether or not they contain visible blood; non-intact skin; and mucous membranes.
Personal Protective Equipment [PPE] for Standard Precautions
Gloves
- Clean, non-sterile gloves when touching or coming into contact with blood, body fluids, secretions or excretions
- Apply gloves just before touching mucous membranes or contacting blood, body fluids, secretions, or excretions
- Remove gloves promptly after use and discard before touching non-contaminated items or environmental surfaces, and before providing care to another patient
- Wash hands immediately after removing gloves
Gowns
- Wear a fluid resistant, non-sterile gown to protect skin and clothing during procedures or activities where contact with blood or body fluids is anticipated
- Do not wear the same gown for the care of more than one patient
- Apply gown prior to performing such activities that may generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions and excretions
Masks and Respirators
- Wear a face mask when there is potential contact with respiratory secretions and sprays of blood or body fluids, when placing a catheter or injecting material into the spinal canal or subdural space [to protect patients from exposure to infectious agents carried in the mouth or nose of health care personnel], or to perform intrathecal chemotherapy
Other Face and Eye Protection
- Wear eye protection [goggles and face shields] for potential splash or spray of blood, respiratory secretions, or other body fluids
- Personal eyeglasses and contact lenses are not considered adequate eye protection
- May use goggles with facemasks, or face shield alone, to protect the mouth, nose and eyes
Additional Procedures
Hand Hygiene - always - following any patient contact
- Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water – especially if visibly soiled
- Clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub if not visibly soiled
Patient Care Equipment
- Avoid contamination of clothing and the transfer of microorganisms to other patients, surfaces and environments
- Clean, disinfect or reprocess non-disposable equipment before reuse with another patient
- Discard single-use items properly
Injection Safety
- Injection safety refers to the proper use and handling of supplies for administering injections and infusions [e.g., syringes, needles, fingerstick devices, intravenous tubing, medication vials, and parenteral solutions]
see also>>Personal Protective Equipment [PPE] for Infection Control
Last Updated: 10/20/2022