Key Takeaways
- Standard Precautions apply to ALL patients - treat all blood/body fluids as infectious
- Components include hand hygiene, PPE, respiratory hygiene, sharps safety, and cleaning
- Never recap needles - dispose immediately in sharps containers
- Don't shake linens - bag at point of use and hold away from body
- Standard Precautions are the minimum level of infection prevention for all care
Last updated: January 2026
Standard Precautions
Standard Precautions are infection control practices used with ALL patients, regardless of their diagnosis or infection status. They assume that all blood and body fluids are potentially infectious.
What Are Standard Precautions?
Standard Precautions combine:
- Universal Precautions (for bloodborne pathogens)
- Body Substance Isolation (for all body fluids)
They apply to:
- Blood
- All body fluids (except sweat)
- Non-intact skin
- Mucous membranes
- Secretions and excretions
Components of Standard Precautions
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Hand hygiene | Before and after patient contact |
| PPE use | Based on anticipated exposure |
| Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette | Cover coughs, wear mask if respiratory symptoms |
| Safe injection practices | One needle, one syringe, one patient |
| Safe sharps handling | Dispose immediately in sharps containers |
| Environmental cleaning | Disinfect patient-care equipment and surfaces |
| Linen handling | Don't shake, bag appropriately |
| Waste handling | Proper disposal of infectious waste |
When to Apply Standard Precautions
| Situation | Precautions |
|---|---|
| Any patient contact | Hand hygiene |
| Contact with body fluids | Gloves |
| Risk of splash/spray | Mask, eye protection |
| Large body fluid exposure | Gown |
| Coughing/sneezing patient | Respiratory hygiene |
| Handling sharps | Use sharps container |
| Cleaning equipment | Disinfection protocols |
Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette
For patients and healthcare workers:
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Cover coughs/sneezes | Use tissue or elbow |
| Dispose of tissues | Immediately in trash |
| Hand hygiene | After touching respiratory secretions |
| Mask use | If coughing, provide mask |
| Spatial separation | Distance from others if symptomatic |
Safe Sharps Handling
Sharps include needles, blades, and any item that can puncture skin:
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| Never recap needles | Most common cause of needlesticks |
| Dispose immediately | Into sharps container at point of use |
| Don't overfill | Replace when 2/3 full |
| Never reach into container | Items cannot be retrieved |
| Report needlesticks | Immediately to supervisor |
Safe Handling of Patient Care Equipment
| Item Type | Handling Procedure |
|---|---|
| Single-use items | Discard after use (disposable) |
| Reusable items | Clean and disinfect between patients |
| Contaminated equipment | Handle carefully to avoid spreading |
| Electronic devices | Clean between patients per policy |
Linen Handling
| Practice | Reason |
|---|---|
| Don't shake linen | Disperses microorganisms into air |
| Hold away from body | Prevents contamination of uniform |
| Bag at point of use | Prevents environmental contamination |
| Use appropriate bags | Follow facility color-coding |
| Wash hands after | Even if wearing gloves |
Waste Disposal
| Waste Type | Disposal Method |
|---|---|
| Regular trash | Standard trash containers |
| Infectious waste | Red bags (biohazard) |
| Sharps | Sharps containers |
| Linen | Soiled linen bags |
| Blood/body fluids | Down toilet or as per policy |
Blood and Body Fluid Spills
Small spills:
- Wear gloves
- Wipe up with paper towels
- Clean with detergent
- Disinfect area
- Dispose in appropriate container
Large spills:
- Wear full PPE
- Contain spill
- Use absorbent material
- Clean with detergent
- Disinfect
- Dispose properly
- May require specialty cleaning
Standard Precautions Summary
Remember: Treat all blood and body fluids as if they are infectious.
- You cannot tell who is infected by looking
- Many infections are asymptomatic
- Consistent precautions protect everyone
- Standard Precautions are the minimum for all patient care
Test Your Knowledge
Standard Precautions apply to:
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
Which of the following is NOT a component of Standard Precautions?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
What is the most common cause of needlestick injuries?
A
B
C
D