Standard Precautions are work practices that provide a basic level of infection control to minimize or prevent the spread of infectious agents. The consistent use of Standard Precautions protects healthcare workers from exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Standard Precaution guidelines state that all blood and body fluids should be handled as if they are infectious and capable of transmitting disease, and should be used in the care of all patients in a healthcare setting, REGARDLESS of their suspected or diagnosed infection status.
Standard precautions apply to:
- Blood
- Body fluids
- Secretions (except sweat*)
- Excretions
- Non-intact skin
- Mucous membranes
*Note that sweat is listed among the body fluids that can transmit the Ebola virus.