BPW Medical Associates

Universal Precautions Body Substance Isolation

- Standard precautions alert the health care worker of the patient situations that require special barrier techniques. - Standard precautions are designed to reduce the risk of transmission of infection and should be used for all patients.

Most important way to PREVENT infection.

When performing hand washing, make sure you push watches or jewelry and long sleeves above the wrists.

Perform hand hygiene with instant alcohol ONLY when not visibly soiled.

Must hand wash when in contact with C diff, instant alcohol does not deactivate spores.

Wear gloves when touching blood, bodily fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes and non-intact skin (Always wear gloves for intubation and IV starts!)

Always change your gloves between tasks and procedures on the same patient.

Wash or sanitize your hands after removal of gloves.

Wear mask and eye protection to protect your mucous membranes during procedures and patient-care activities that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of bodily fluids. (i.e. intubation and extubation)

Droplet precautions (wear a mask) for streptococcal pharyngitis, pneumonia, pertussis, mumps, meningococcal pneumonia

Contact precautions (gloves/gown) for C-diff, MRSA, shigella, Hep A

Airborne precautions (negative air pressure room for patient) for measles, TB