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cared for using standard precautions. Formerly known as universal precautions, standard
precautions are the minimal accepted level of precaution. Standard precautions prevent direct
contact with blood, other body fluids, secretions, excretions, nonintact skin/rashes, and mucous
membranes and should be observed during all aspects of patient care.
Standard precautions include the following:
• Gloves. Clean, nonsterile gloves should be worn when touching any of the above
mentioned substances. Gloves should be removed immediately after contact with these
fluids and hands should be washed between care of each patient.
• Handwashing. Hands should be washed after contact with blood or body fluids, whether
or not gloves have been worn. Plain or antimicrobial soap with warm water should be
used according to facility policy. Alcohol-based hand rubs (≥60%) may also be used
when soap and water are not readily available.
• Masks/eye protection or face shields. Whenever procedures are performed that may cause
splashes of blood or other body fluids, a mask and eye protection should be worn. These
should be removed and discarded or cleaned between care of each patient.
• Gowns. Whenever procedures are performed that may cause splashes of blood or other
body fluids, a gown should be worn to protect the skin and clothing. The type of gown
selected should be based on the amount of exposure anticipated for each patient care
procedure.
Transmission Precautions
Effective infection control sometimes requires additional precautions beyond standard
precautions. These are called transmission precautions and consist of the following:
• Contact precautions.
• Droplet precautions.
• Airborne infection isolation.
Transmission precautions are instituted based on the type of organism suspected (Table 4.2).
Contact precautions. Contact precautions are used in addition to standard precautions when
patients are suspected or known to be infected with agents transmitted by direct contact with the
patient’s skin or by indirect contact with surfaces or patient-care items in the patient’s
environment.
• The patient should be placed in a private room.
• Gloves should be worn when entering the room and at all times while in the room. Hands
should be washed immediately after gloves are removed. After handwashing, care should
be taken not to touch potentially contaminated surfaces or items.
• Gowns (clean, nonsterile) should be worn when entering the patient’s room and removed
immediately after leaving the patient’s room. After the gown is removed, care should be
taken not to touch potentially contaminated surfaces or items.
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