Standard (Universal) Precautions

Standard (Universal) Precautions

■ Indications: Recommended for the care of all Pts, regardless of their diagnosis or presumed infection status.
■ Purpose: Designed to provide a barrier precaution for all health-care providers prevent the spread of infectious disease.
■ Application: Applies to blood, other bodily fluids, secretions, excretions, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes.

Types of Standard Precautions
■ Hand washing:The single most important means of preventing the spread of disease. Perform before and after every Pt contact, and after contact with blood, bodily fluids, or contaminated equipment.
■ Gloves: Nonlatex gloves should be worn whenever contact with bodily fluids is possible. Note: lotions may degrade gloves.
■ Mask and eye protection:Worn whenever there exists the potential for getting splashed by bodily fluids.
■ Gown:Worn whenever exposed skin or clothing is likely to become soiled during Pt contact.
■ Disposal of sharps: Sharp instruments and needles are disposed of in a properly labeled, puncture-resistant container. NEVER recap needles at any time.
■ Containment: Soiled linen should be placed in a leak-proof bag. Grossly contaminated refuse is placed in a red biohazard bag and placed in appropriate receptacle.
■ Decontamination: Contaminated equipment should be properly disinfected per facility guidelines. Single-use equipment must be properly disposed of after use.

Transmission-Based Precautions
Airborne: In addition to Standard Precautions, use Airborne
Precautions for Pts known or suspected to have serious illnesses transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei.
■ Particulate Size: Droplet nuclei smaller than 5 microns
■ Common Etiology: Measles, chickenpox, disseminated varicella zoster, TB (tuberculosis)
■ Specific Precautions: Private room, negative airflow (at least six changes per hour), and a mask for the health-care provider. The Pt may be required to wear a mask if coughing is excessive. Droplet: In addition to Standard Precautions, use Droplet Precautions for Pts known or suspected to have serious illnesses transmitted by large particle droplets.
■ Particulate Size: Droplet nuclei larger than 5 microns
■ Common Etiology: Haemophilus influenzae type-B, (meningitis, pneumonia, epiglottitis, and sepsis), Neisseria meningitidis (meningitis, pneumonia, and sepsis), diphtheria, pertussis, mycoplasma pneumonia, pneumonic plague, streptococcal (group A) pharyngitis, pneumonia, scarlet fever in children, adenoviruses, mumps, parvovirus B19, rubella, and chicken pox
■ Specific Precautions: Private room and a mask for the healthcare provider are required. The Pt may be required to wear a mask if coughing is excessive. Contact: In addition to Standard Precautions, use Contact
Precautions for Pts known or suspected to have serious illnesses transmitted by direct Pt contact or by contact with items in the Pt’s environment.
■ Common Etiology: GI, respiratory, skin, or wound colonization or infection with drug-resistant bacteria. Other pathogens include Clostridium difficile (C-diff), Escherichia coli, (E-coli), Shigella, hepatitis, rotavirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), diphtheria, herpes simplex, impetigo, pediculosis, scabies, chicken pox, and viral hemorrhagic infections, such as Ebola.
■ Specific Precautions: Private room for the Pt, and gloves and gown for the health-care provider. The Pt may be required to wear a mask if coughing is excessive.