Introduction to Standard Precautions

Introduction

Date of Last Review 10/18/10

Date of Last Review 10/31/11

Date of Last Review 01/25/13
SME: Infection Control Manager

Implementation of standard precautions is the primary strategy for successful nosocomial infection control.

Levels of precautions

This table explains two levels of precautions:

Note: This topic provides further information about standard precautions only.

Precautions	Designed for the care of...
Standard	All patients in hospitals, regardless of their diagnosis or presumed infection status Blood All body fluids, secretions, and excretions, regardless of whether or not they contain visible blood Exception: Sweat Non-intact skin Mucous membranes
Transmission-based	Patients known or suspected to be infected by epidemiologically important pathogens spread by: Airborne or droplet transmission Contact with dry skin or contaminated surfaces

Terminology

The term standard precautions replaces the term universal blood and body fluid precautions.

Policy

Hospital staff must consistently use standard precautions when they anticipate contact with the blood or other body fluids of any patient.

Responsibilities

Each unit or department manager is responsible for:

Identifying procedures and activities requiring personnel to use protective eye-wear, gowns, masks, and gloves

Ensuring that his/her employees follow appropriate standard precautions.

Education

This table lists how UTHCPC educates each employee about the importance of using standard precautions:

Type of Education	Description
New employee orientation	Stresses the need for routine use of standard precautions with all patients according to UTHCPC procedures Includes instruction on the following topics: Blood-borne pathogens Modes of transmission Prevention and control measures Health habit formation
Continuing education	Reinforces the use of standard precautions Introduces the most recent infectious disease control guidelines
Training	Provides training in technical skills or procedures necessary to ensure the most effective use of standard precautions Organized by the Nursing Department content experts and Infection Control on a regular or as needed basis

References

Each unit maintains a copy of the CDC Recommendations for Prevention of HIV Transmission in Health Care Settings.

Related standards

The Joint Commission : Surveillance, Prevention, and Control of Infection

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