Standard Precautions

Standard precautions are a prime example of the implementation of a

practice in the medical setting that is the product of evidenced based practice
process. Healthcare associated infections in the past have proven to be a very
severe issue in the field. These associated infections are causes for common
illnesses and at times mortalities in the hospital setting. This can not only effect
patients but health care workers as well. When the practice of standard precautions
are adhered it has been proven that the incidence of exposure to blood and body
fluids.
The minimum requirement for infection prevention in the medical field is standard
precautions measures. Previously universal precautions were in practice. Universal
precautions is a practice that was to prevent the transmission of blood borne
infections. More specifically this is the practice of treating all blood from a human as
well as particular body fluids as if they were infected with HIV, Hepatitis and other
blood borne infections. This has since with evidence been replaced by standard
precautions.
There are a few components that make up standard precautions. The first key
component is Hand Hygiene followed by use of personal protective equipment
(PPE), cough and respiratory etiquette, safe practice in preparation and
administration of injections, and lastly appropriate and safe handling of
contaminated surfaces, and items. Personal protective equipment includes gloves,
masks, and gowns.

References
CDC - Bloodborne Infectious Diseases - Universal Precautions - NIOSH Workplace
Safety and Health Topic. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/bbp/universal.html

Fundamental Principles of Infection Prevention | Infection Control and Prevention

Plan for Outpatient Oncology Settings | HAI | CDC. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/settings/outpatient/basic-infection-controlprevention-plan-2011/fundamental-of-infection-prevention.html
Infection Control and Practice of Standard Precautions Among Healthcare
Workers in Northern Nigeria. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3958986/