Download Universal Precautions now more commonly called “Standard

Universal Precautions
now more commonly called “Standard Precautions”,
should be followed by everyone.
Key Components of Standard Precautions:
Consider every person as potentially infectious. Place a physical (i.e. gloves,
dressing, blanket), mechanical or chemical barrier between you and the person. This
practice serves to break the transmission of disease from one person to another.
Wash hands (or use an antiseptic hand rub) is the most important procedure to
prevent the spread an infection.
• Immediately after touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions and
contaminated items without using gloves.
• Immediately after removing gloves.
• Between caring for more than one person.
Wear gloves (both hands) before touching anything wet—broken skin (i.e. open wound,
cuts), mucous membranes, blood or other body fluids and contaminated waste
materials.
Sharps needles, syringes, lancet or other sharp objects
• Do not reuse contaminated needles or syringes
• Do not remove used needles from disposable syringes.
• Do not bend, break or manipulate used needles by hand
• Avoid recapping used needles.
Safe disposal: You should place used needles, syringes or other sharps objects in a
puncture-resistant container with a screw-on or tightly secured lid such as a plastic
laundry container or coffee can. Do not use glass or clear plastic containers.
Safely dispose of infectious waste materials. Handle soiled equipment or soiled linen
in a manner to prevent contact with skin or mucous membranes and to prevent
contamination of clothing or the environment.
• Clean reusable equipment prior to reuse.
• Disinfect contaminated surfaces that become contaminated with blood or body
fluids with bleach, alcohol, or other germicidal solution.
Safe disposal: Place infectious waste materials in a securely fastened plastic bag
before you put them in the garbage can.
Resuscitation
Use mouthpieces, resuscitation bags or other ventilation devices to avoid mouth-tomouth contact.
G:\7-WEBSITE\Kelly and Kim\Times News Articles\2011\Key components of Standard Precautions (2).doc