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) to carry out standard precautions includes:
- gowns
- masks
- eye protection and face shield (if splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids is likely).
Standard precautions include:
- 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
- Hand Hygiene
More information about hand hygiene.
- Hand Hygiene
- 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
- 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
- Gloves
More information about gloves.
- Gloves
- Clean, non-sterile gloves when touching or coming into contact with blood, body fluids, secretions or excretions
- Gowns
- Fluid resistant, non-sterile
- Protect soiling of clothing during activities that may generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions and excretions
- Fluid resistant, non-sterile
- Apply gown prior to performing such activities
- Gowns
More information about gowns.
- Gowns
- Mask, face shield, eye protection
- Protect eyes, nose, mouth and mucous membranes from exposure to sprays or splashes of blood, body fluids, secretions and excretions
- Apply appropriate protection prior to performing such activities
- Masks and Respirators
More information about surgical masks. - Other Face and Eye Protection
More information about goggles and face shields.
- Masks and Respirators
- 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
see also>>Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Infection Control
