Infection Control Reference

Standard precautions apply to every patient, every time — regardless of known diagnosis or infection status. They are based on the principle that all blood, body fluids, secretions, and non-intact skin are potentially infectious.

Components of standard precautions:

• Hand hygiene — the single most effective infection prevention measure (see hand hygiene section below)
• Gloves — when touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, non-intact skin, or mucous membranes
• Gown — when there is risk of contaminating clothing or skin with body fluids
• Mask and eye protection or face shield — when procedures may generate splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids
• Safe needle practice — never recap needles two-handed; use safety devices; dispose in puncture-resistant sharps containers
• Respiratory hygiene / cough etiquette — apply to all patients with signs of respiratory infection from point of entry
• Safe injection practices — one needle, one syringe, one patient; never share multi-dose vials between patients
• Environmental cleaning — clean and disinfect patient care equipment and patient environment per facility protocol

Hand hygiene is the most important infection prevention measure. The WHO “5 Moments for Hand Hygiene” define when hand hygiene is required:

1. Before touching a patient
2. Before a clean or aseptic procedure
3. After body fluid exposure risk
4. After touching a patient
5. After touching patient surroundings

The most contaminated items (gloves, gown front) are removed first to prevent self-contamination. Never touch the front of a used mask — the outside surface is considered contaminated.