Standard precautions include a group of infection prevention practices that apply to all patients, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status, in any setting where health care is delivered. Precautions include the following:
hand hygiene ● glove use ● wearing a gown ● wearing a mask ● using eye protection ● wearing a face shield
Also, equipment or items in the patient environment likely to have been contaminated with infectious body fluids must be handled in such a manner to prevent transmission of infectious agents. The application of standard precautions, in particular, the use of specific personal protective equipment (PPE) during patient care is determined by the nature of the health care worker-patient interaction and the extent of anticipated blood, body fluid, or pathogen exposure.