standard precautions

Medical term Infection Control and Safety

Infection prevention practices used with every patient, including hand hygiene, PPE based on expected exposure, and safe injection practices.

Sources

Related terms

infectionInvasion and multiplication of harmful microorganisms in the body, causing disease.
PPEPersonal protective equipment: gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection and similar barriers.
regulated wasteLiquid or semi-liquid blood or OPIM, items caked or dripping with them, and contaminated sharps, all…
reservoirThe place where a pathogen lives and multiplies, such as a person, animal or surface.
sanitizationRemoving visible soil and debris from objects; cleaning must come before high-level disinfection or…
sharpsObjects that can puncture or cut skin, such as needles, lancets, scalpels and broken glass.
sterilizationA process that destroys all microorganisms, including bacterial spores, on an object.
surgical asepsisSterile technique: practices that keep an area completely free of microorganisms during invasive procedures.
susceptible hostA person at risk of becoming infected.
transmission-based precautionsExtra precautions (contact, droplet or airborne) added to standard precautions for patients with certain…