2. INTRODUCTION
• Universal precautions refers to the practice of avoiding contact with patients’ bodily fluids,
by means of the wearing of nonporous such as medical gloves, goggles, and face shields.
• Medical instruments, especially scalpels and hypodermic needles should be handled
carefully and disposed of properly in a sharps container.
• Pathogens fall into two broad categories, blood borne (carried in the body fluids) and air
borne. Standard universal precautions cover both types.
• Universal precautions should be practiced in any environment where workers are exposed to
bodily fluids, such as: Blood, semen, vaginal secretions, synovial fluid, amniotic fluid,
cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, bodily fluids that do not
require such precautions include: Feces, nasal secretions, urine, vomitus, perspiration,
sputum, saliva
• Universal precautions are the infection control techniques that were recommended
following the AIDS outbreak in the 1980s. Essentially it means the every patient is treated as
if they are infected and therefore precautions are taken to minimize risk. Essentially,
universal precautions are good hygiene habits such as washing and the use of gloves and
3. CONDITIONS INDICATING ADDITIONAL
PRECAUTIONS
• Disease with airborne transmission (e.g. tuberculosis)
• Disease with droplet transmission (e.g. mumps, rubella,influenza,
pertusis)
• Transmission by direct or indirect contact with dried skin (e.g.
colonization with MRSA) or contaminated surfaces.
• Or any combination of the above.
• Universal precautions are recommended not only for doctors, nurses
and patients, but for health care support workers. Some support
workers, most notably laundry and housekeeping staff, may be required
to come into contact with patients or bodily fluids.
4. UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS
• Barrier protection should be used at all times to prevent skin and
mucous membrane contamination with blood, body fluids containing
visible blood, or other body fluids. The type of barrier protection used
should be appropriate for the type of procedures being performed and
the type of exposure anticipates. Examples of barrier protection include
disposable, lab coats, gloves, and eye and face protection.
5. • Gloves are to be worn when there is potential for hand or skin contact with blood, other potentially infectious material, or items
and surfaces contaminated with these materials
• Wear face protection (face shield) during procedure that are likely to generate droplet of blood or body fluid to prevent
exposure to mucus membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes.
• Wear protective body clothing when there is a potential for splashing of blood or body fluids,
• Never try to pipette by mouth. Use mechanic pipetting devices instead.
• Wash hands or other skin surface, thoroughly and immediately if contaminate with blood, body fluids containing visible blood or
other body fluids to which universe precautions apply.
• Wash hands immediately after gloves are removed.
• Avoid accidental injuries that can be caused by needles, scalpel blades, laboratory instruments, etc., when performing
procedures, cleaning instruments, handling sharp instruments, and disposing of used needles, pipettes etc.
• Used needles, disposable syringes, scalpel blades pipettes, and other sharp items are to be placed in puncture resistant
containers marked with a biohazard symbol for disposal.
6. PRECAUTIONS ISSUES OF CONCERN
• Airborne precautions should be used for the following infections and
conditions
1. Aspergillosis
2. Herpes Zoster
3. Measles
4. Monkey Pox
5. Severe acute respiratory syndrome
6. Small pox
7. Tuberculosis
8. Varicella Zoster
7. PRECAUTIONS ISSUES OF CONCERN
• Droplet precautions should be used for the followin infections and
conditions
1. Adenovirus
2. Haemophilus influenzae type b
3. Influenza , pandemic
4. Neisseria meningitis
5. Mumps
6. Mycoplasma pneumonia
7. Parvovirus
8. Pertussis
9. Yersinia pestis
10. Group A streptococcus
11. Rhinovirus
12. Rubella
13. Viral hemorrhagic fever
14. Ebola
15. Lassa fever
8. PRECAUTIONS ISSUES OF CONCERN
• Contact precautions should be used for the
following infections and conditions
1. Abscess
2. Adenovirus
3. Diphtheria
4. Hepatitis A
5. Viral conjunctivitis
6. Lice
7. TB
8. Small Pox
9. Polio myelitis
10. Monkey pox
11. Parainfluenza virus
12. Scabies
