Editing Infection Control and Safety (section)

== Standard Precautions ==

Standard precautions apply to '''every patient, every time, regardless of diagnosis or presumed infection status'''. They treat blood, all body fluids and secretions and excretions except sweat, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes as potentially infectious. Standard precautions include:

* Hand hygiene.
* Personal protective equipment selected by anticipated exposure: gloves for contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, or contaminated items; gown when clothing or exposed skin may be soiled; mask and eye protection or a face shield when splash or spray is likely, and always during procedures that generate splashes.
* Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette: cover coughs, provide masks and tissues and hand hygiene supplies at entry points, separate symptomatic persons in waiting areas.
* Safe injection practices: one needle, one syringe, one time. Never reenter a vial with a used syringe. Single-dose vials are for one patient only. Use aseptic technique when preparing and administering medications. Disinfect the vial septum and needleless connectors before access.
* Safe handling of used equipment, linens, and the environment: clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and shared equipment between patients.
* Sharps safety: never recap a used needle (if recapping is unavoidable, use a one-handed scoop technique), activate safety devices, and dispose of sharps in a puncture-resistant container at the point of use. Replace containers when three-quarters full.
* Sterile technique for lumbar puncture and other procedures entering the spinal or epidural space, including a mask for the person inserting.
* Patient placement based on risk of transmission.