Concept of Standard Precautions

There are several protections in place to protect health care workers against blood-borne infections. While the majority of HIV/HBsAg-positive patients are asymptomatic at the time of presentation, all individuals are considered to have potentially infectious blood and bodily fluids. Precautions may vary depending on the anticipated exposure.

1. Use of Personal Protective Equipment. (PPE)

a) Mask - Protects against airborne illnesses or situations that may result in the splashing or spraying of blood and body fluids.

b) Glove - Use a glove if we come into contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, a wound, or any other contaminated material.

c) Apron - Any possibility of splash or contamination during soiling.

d) Goggles - For positive instances (OT and LR).

e) Boots, if necessary.

f) Caps are worn as indicated.

2. Prevention of injury with sharps:

Prevention of injury with sharps is essential, as such injuries commonly occur during the use of needles, surgical instruments, and their disposal. To minimize the risk, certain precautions must be observed. Needles should never be recapped, bent, or broken by hand, and all disposable needles and other sharps must be discarded directly into puncture-resistant containers located at the site of the procedure. Sharps should not be passed from one healthcare worker to another; instead, the person using the equipment should be responsible for discarding it, and if transportation is necessary, a tray may be used. Furthermore, sharps containers should be safely discarded once they are three-fourths full to prevent overfilling and accidental injuries.

Hand Washing: Hand washing means vigorous rubbing of hand with soap and water or with any antiseptic agents.Hand washing refers to the vigorous rubbing of hands with soap and water or with antiseptic agents to remove dirt, microorganisms, and reduce the risk of infection. It is a fundamental practice in infection control and is categorized into three types: social hand wash, which is performed with plain soap and water for general cleanliness; procedure hand wash, which involves the use of antiseptic agents before and after performing clinical procedures to minimize the risk of cross-infection; and surgical hand wash, which is a more thorough technique carried out by surgeons and operating room staff using antiseptic solutions to achieve maximum reduction of microorganisms before surgical interventions.

Types of Hand Washing Methods

1. Social hand washing

2. Procedure: Hand wash

3. Surgical hand wash

Why Handwashing is Important

The primary purpose of hand washing is to maintain hygiene and prevent the spread of infections. It helps in removing dirt and debris from the hands, decontaminating them by eliminating harmful microorganisms, and preventing cross-infection between patients and healthcare workers. Hand washing also plays a vital role in breaking the chain of infection, thereby reducing the risk of disease transmission. Since the most common mode of pathogen transmission is through hands, proper hand washing is considered the single most important and effective measure for preventing the spread of infection.

When to Wash Hands washing

Hand washing should be practiced at all critical moments to ensure infection prevention and patient safety. It must be performed before and after duty, before carrying out any invasive procedure, and before and after using gloves to prevent contamination. It is equally important to wash hands after contact with blood or body fluids, before and after touching patients, and before handling invasive devices such as catheters or IV lines. Additionally, hand washing should always be done after toileting or urination to maintain personal hygiene and minimize the risk of spreading infections

Concept of Standard Precautions