TL;DR
Standard Precautions: Infection control practices applied to all patients regardless of diagnosis, treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.
Standard Precautions
Definition
Infection control practices applied to all patients regardless of diagnosis, treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.
Overview
Standard precautions replaced Universal Precautions in 1996, combining them with Body Substance Isolation. All blood, body fluids (except sweat), non-intact skin, and mucous membranes are treated as potentially infectious.
Components
- Hand hygiene at WHO five moments
- PPE based on anticipated exposure
- Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
- Safe injection practices
- Sharps safety
- Sterile instruments for invasive procedures
- Clean environmental surfaces
- Safe textile and laundry handling
- Proper waste management
Application
CNA: during bathing, toileting, oral care, wound observation.
MA: during phlebotomy, injections, specimen collection, EKG, wound care.
EMT/Paramedic: from scene size-up through patient contact.
CST: layered with surgical asepsis requirements.
Why It Matters
Standard precautions form the foundation of infection control tested across all healthcare exams.
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