Standard Precautions

Definition
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Standard Precautions combine Universal Precautions (UP) and Body Substance Isolation (BSI). They are standardized practice guidelines that apply to caring for all patients with the intent of decreasing the spread of infection.

• Standard precautions are “based on the principle that all blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions except sweat, nonintact skin, and mucus membranes may contain transmissible infectious agents.”  (CDC)
  
  
• For children with respiratory disorders in the home, infection prevention practices include good hand washing and wearing of disposable gloves if contact with body fluids, such as secretions, is expected.

• The Center for Disease Control recommends that standard precautions be used when there are visible secretions. 
  
  
• Clean hands are the single most important factor in preventing the spread of pathogens and antibiotic resistance in healthcare settings.