Standard vs Transmission-Based Precautions
Standard precautions apply to every patient; contact, droplet and airborne precautions are added for specific infections.
Standard precautions (every patient, every time)
- Hand hygiene.
- PPE chosen by the expected exposure (gloves, gown, mask, eye protection).
- Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette: cover coughs, tissues in a no-touch bin, mask the coughing patient if tolerated, keep people with respiratory symptoms ideally more than 3 feet apart in waiting areas.
- Safe injection practices.
- Needlestick and sharps injury prevention.
- Cleaning and disinfection of equipment and surfaces.
- Proper waste disposal.
Preview only. The full sheet also covers: Transmission-based precautions.
Sources
- Siegel JD, et al. 2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings (CDC/HICPAC). Am J Infect Control. 2007;35(10 Suppl 2):S65-164 · CDC/HICPAC via PubMed Central
- Clinical Nursing Skills, 6.4 Infection Control and Patient Safety (fact check only) · OpenStax (Rice University)
- Clinical Nursing Skills, 6.2 Asepsis and PPE (fact check only) · OpenStax (Rice University)