The safety of patients and caregivers is paramount when providing healthcare services. There are risks of transferring infectious microorganisms, potentially harbored by all people, from one individual to another. Healthcare providers should use standard precautions over sterile precautions when handling blood, mucous membranes, and non-intact skin. They should also apply these precautions when handling all body substances or fluids, irrespective of whether they have visible blood. The primary objective for adhering to the standard precautions within healthcare settings is to ensure basic level prevention and control of infections. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018), these measures minimize and eliminate risks of transmitting infections, especially those associated with blood-borne pathogens. Some of the standard precautions include hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, safe injection practices, and the use of personal protective equipment.
These standard precautions prevent and control infection precautions differently. For instance, hand hygiene, which may involve cleaning hands using plain soap and water, alcohol-based hand rub, and antimicrobial soap, can be used when healthcare providers are performing routine nonsurgical procedures and dental examinations. Personal protective equipment prevents exposure to or contact with infectious pathogens. The equipment comprises face masks, gloves, face shields, protective clothing, and protective eyewear. Respiratory hygiene alleviates the possibility of transmitting pathogens spreadable through airborne routes or droplets (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018). Safe injection practices prevent the transmission of infections from one patient to another or between healthcare providers and patients. The practices may include cleaning the injection area using an aseptic technique and using syringes or needles for only one patient at a time. Therefore, standard precautions are instrumental measures that guarantee the safety and well-being of both patients and healthcare providers.
Reference
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Standard Precautions. cdc.gov. Web.