SoCal Flipbooks

Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions Standard precautions are the basic level of infection control practices used for the care of all patients, regardless of their diagnosis or presumed infection status. They are designed to protect healthcare workers and prevent the spread of infections among patients. Key components include: 1. Hand Hygiene • Perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact, after removing gloves, and after contact with potentially infectious materials. • Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) • Gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection should be used as needed to prevent contact with blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes. • Select PPE based on the expected exposure. • 3. Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette • Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing. • Dispose of tissues and perform hand hygiene immediately. 4. Safe Injection Practices Use aseptic technique and avoid reusing needles or syringes. 5. Safe Handling of Potentially Contaminated Equipment or Surfaces Ensure proper cleaning and disinfection of equipment and environmental surfaces. 6. Patient Placement Use private rooms for patients who contaminate the environment. Transmission-Based precautions used in addition to standard precautions for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens that require additional control measures to prevent transmission. They are categorized into types: 1. Contact Precautions • Used for infections spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or the patient's environment. • PPE — Use gloves and gowns when entering the room and for all interactions involving contact with the patient or potentially contaminated areas. 2. Contact Enteric Precautions • Used for infections associated with sporicidal spread such as Clostridioides difficile by direct or indirect contact with the patient or the patient's environment. • PPE — Use gloves and gowns when entering the room and for all interactions involving contact with the patient or potentially contaminated areas. • A disinfectant with sporicidal activity, such as bleach, is required to adequately disinfect equipment. • You must use soap and water hand hygiene as alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not effective. 3. Droplet Precautions • Used for diseases spread through large respiratory droplets, such as influenza or pertussis. • PPE — Use a surgical mask when within three feet of the patient. Provider Education Training Manual 8 |

• Cover