STANDARD
PRECAUTIONS
STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
Standard precaution refers to care taken in
advance to protect medical personnel from
infectious materials
It refers to practices that ensure medical
personnel do not come into contact with body
fluids of patients
Operating room procedures are invasive
STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
An invasive procedure involves any entry into
body tissues or cavities in any procedural
environment.
Standard precautions are in effect for any
procedure during which bleeding occurs or for
which the potential for bleeding or exposure to
body substances exists.
Hence all operating room staff must observe
standard precautions
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
PPEs prevent contact of the skin and mucous
membranes with blood and body substances.
PPE and must prevent blood and other fluids
from passing through or reaching the wearer’s
clothing or body.
The type of PPE used depends on the task and
the degree of anticipated exposure
Gloves
Gloves reduce contamination of hands.
Intact gloves are used.
Latex, vinyl, and other materials are used in
the manufacturing of these gloves.
There are two broad types of gloves
1. Sterile
2. Non-sterile
Gloves
Sterile gloves are worn for procedures that
involve the invasion of body tissues when a sterile
field is created.
Double-gloving does not prevent puncture wounds
but may be appropriate for procedures in which
the risk of glove tears is high.
Gloves
Unsterile latex or vinyl examination gloves are
worn for procedures that do not require a sterile
field.
General purpose Utility Gloves: are worn
for cleaning instruments and for decontaminating
and housekeeping procedures involving potential
blood contact.
These heavy-duty gloves may be decontaminated
and reused.
Gloves
Gloves are changed after every contact with
patients or contaminated items.
Latex and vinyl gloves are discarded
Hands are washed immediately after glove
removal.
All gloves have microscopic holes and may be
permeable to certain substances or microorganisms
Face Masks
Masks protect personnel from aerosols and
patients from droplets.
They are worn for all invasive procedures.
Themask should be changed immediately if
grossly contaminated by a splash of blood or
body fluid.
Eye Shield
Eyewear with side shields protects the
mucous membranes of the eyes and full face
shields protect the mucous membranes of the
eyes, nose, and mouth.
They are worn for procedures in which blood,
bone chips, amniotic fluid, and the aerosol of
other body fluids may splash or be projected
into the eyes.
Eye Shield
Goggles with enclosed sides and chin-length
face shields offer better protection than do
simple eyeglasses.
Gowns or Aprons
Gowns or aprons made of fluid-resistant
material protect the wearer from a splash with
blood and body fluids.
A plastic apron may be worn under a woven
fabric gown.
Impervious gowns offer better protection.
Disposable impervious gowns are preferred.
Clogs or Boots
Shoe covers or boots protect the wearer when
gross contamination on the floor can be
anticipated.
Grossly soiled shoe covers or knee-high
disposable boots are removed before the wearer
leaves the room.
Handwashing.
Thorough handwashing with an approved
antimicrobial agent after every contact with a
patient, contaminated items, or suspected
contamination protects both the patient and
personnel
Hands should be washed after removing
contaminated gloves because gloves are not
100% impervious
Puncture Proof Containers
Needles, knife blades, and sharp instruments
present a potential hazard for the handler and
user.
Do not manipulate sharps by hand.
All single use sharps should be disposed into a
Puncture Proof Container
Effective Management of Medical Waste
Medical waste is any waste that is generated as a
by-product of healthcare work at hospitals and
laboratories
There are four main categories
a. General waste
b. Infectious waste
c. Hazardous waste
d. Radioactive waste
Colour codes may be used to sort out the waste
Effective Management of Medical Waste
General Waste:
The bulk of most medical waste, mostly typical
household and office waste
Infectious Waste:
Anywaste that could cause an infection in
humans, like blood, human tissue or anything
contaminated with bodily fluids
Effective Management of Medical Waste
Hazardous Waste:
Waste that’s dangerous, but not infectious, like
sharps, discarded surgical equipment, and some
chemical waste
Radioactive Waste:
Anywaste generated as a result of radioactive
treatments, like cancer therapies, and medical
equipment that uses nuclear elements.
