standard and universal precautions

universal precautions

• blood products

• human tissue

• body fluids (csf, amniotic fluid, pleural fluid)

• body fluids contaminated with blood

  • vaginal secretions and semen

standard precautions

• wash hands before and after every procedure

• use gloves when encountering pt body/blood fluids

• cover scratches or breaks in skin

• refrain from eating/drinking/chewing gum

• wear PPE

• clean spills

• dispose of sharps

  • dispose of things in the respective containers

category I

tasks that have a chance of body fluids or blood spilling/splashing, cause exposure to blood/body fluids (ex. minor surgical procedure)

category II

tasks that do not involve chance of exposure (ex. CPR, precautions still need to be taken)

category III

tasks that do not require any PPE, example is vs (vital signs)

contact precautions

transmission thru direct and indirect touching; using proper PPE (gloves and gown, washing hands before and after, and disinfecting exam room)

droplet precautions

transmission by contact of secretions and usually occurs when infected person coughs or sneezes, get pt to room ASAP, have them put on face mask, and have hcp use appropriate PPE

airborne precautions

transmission by infectious agents floating in air, which can expose anyone around pt

• allow pt to enter thru different route, place in isolation room, etc

engineering controls

devices used to isolate or remove the blood-borne pathogen hazard from the workplace

workplace controls

practices in workplace that reduce chances of exposure by changing or mandating the way a task is performed

PPE (personal protective equipment)

employers must provide PPE to employees

Hepatitis B vaccinations

employers must provide Hep B vaccines to those w/ risk of exposure within 10 days of employment

post exposure follow up

employers must follow up w/ any professional who had exposure incident

labels and signs to communicate hazards

labels are required on all regulated waste and storage containers w/ potentially infectious materials

info and training to employees

must provide regular training that covers dangers on everything

• on initial hire and anually thereafter

documented employee medical training records

must be maintained for ea. employee, and log of occupational injuries and illnesses and sharps injury log