Connecticut State Department of Public Health

  • Standard precautions are the basic level of infection control that should be used in the care of all patients all of the time
  • Use in the care of all patients to reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms from both recognized and non-recognized sources of infection
  • Applies to blood, all body fluids, secretions and excretions (except sweat) whether or not they contain visible blood; non-intact skin; and mucous membranes
    • Personal protective equipment (PPE) to carry out Standard Precautions includes: gowns, masks, eye protection, face shield (if splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids is likely).

Standard Precautions include:

  • Hand hygiene - always - following any patient contact
    • Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water – especially if visibly soiled. Clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub if not visibly soiled
     
  • Gloves
    • Clean, non-sterile gloves when touching or coming into contact with blood, body fluids, secretions or excretions
    • Apply gloves just before touching mucous membranes or contacting blood, body fluids, secretions, or excretions
    • Remove gloves promptly after use and discard before touching non-contaminated items or environmental surfaces, and before providing care to another patient
    • Wash hands immediately after removing gloves
  • Gowns
    • Fluid resistant, non-sterile
    • Protect soiling of clothing during activities that may generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions and excretions
    • Apply gown prior to performing such activities
  • Mask, face shield, eye protection
    • Protect eyes, nose, mouth and mucous membranes from exposure to sprays or splashes of blood, body fluids, secretions and excretions
    • Apply appropriate protection prior to performing such activities
     
  • Patient Care Equipment
      • Avoid contamination of clothing and the transfer of microorganisms to other patients, surfaces and environments
      • Clean, disinfect or reprocess non-disposable equipment before reuse with another patient
      • Discard single-use items properly