Universal precautions: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:52, 9 February 2025

Universal Precautions

Universal precautions are a set of safety measures taken to prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens in healthcare settings. These precautions are designed to protect healthcare workers and patients from infections that can be spread through contact with blood and certain body fluids.

History

The concept of universal precautions was introduced in the 1980s in response to the growing awareness of HIV/AIDS and other bloodborne infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) formally recommended universal precautions in 1987, emphasizing the need for healthcare workers to treat all human blood and certain body fluids as if they were known to be infectious.

Principles

Universal precautions involve the use of protective barriers such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection to reduce the risk of exposure to potentially infectious materials. These precautions also include proper handling and disposal of sharps, such as needles and scalpels, and the implementation of hand hygiene practices.

Application

Universal precautions are applied in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. They are particularly important during procedures that involve contact with blood or body fluids, such as phlebotomy, surgery, and dental procedures.

Impact

The adoption of universal precautions has significantly reduced the incidence of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens among healthcare workers. It has also raised awareness about the importance of infection control practices in healthcare environments.

Related pages

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1987). "Recommendations for prevention of HIV transmission in health-care settings." MMWR 36(Suppl 2): 1S-18S.
Siegel, J. D., Rhinehart, E., Jackson, M., Chiarello, L., & the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. (2007). "Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings." CDC.

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-'''Universal precautions''' is a method of infection control where all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens. It is used in the healthcare setting to prevent the transmission of diseases, such as HIV and Hepatitis B, from patient to healthcare worker and vice versa.
+== Universal Precautions ==
+[[File:US Navy 061129-N-5416W-005 Hospital Corpsman Seaman Jered Cotshwar sort's blood samples during a ship's blood drive aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).jpg|thumb|right|A hospital corpsman sorting blood samples, an activity where universal precautions are essential.]]
+'''Universal precautions''' are a set of safety measures taken to prevent the transmission of [[bloodborne pathogens]] in healthcare settings. These precautions are designed to protect healthcare workers and patients from infections that can be spread through contact with blood and certain body fluids.
 == History ==
-The concept of universal precautions was first proposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1987, in response to the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic. The CDC recognized the need for a standard set of precautions to protect healthcare workers from exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The term "universal precautions" refers to the practice of treating all human blood and certain body fluids as potentially infectious.
+The concept of universal precautions was introduced in the 1980s in response to the growing awareness of [[HIV/AIDS]] and other bloodborne infections. The [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC) formally recommended universal precautions in 1987, emphasizing the need for healthcare workers to treat all human blood and certain body fluids as if they were known to be infectious.
 == Principles ==
-The principles of universal precautions include:
-* Use of [[personal protective equipment]] (PPE), such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection, when there is a potential for contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.
-* Hand hygiene, including washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub, before and after patient contact.
-* Safe injection practices, including the use of a new sterile syringe and needle for each injection.
-* Safe handling and disposal of sharps, such as needles and scalpels.
-* Cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment that have been in contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.
-== Implementation ==
+Universal precautions involve the use of protective barriers such as [[gloves]], [[gowns]], [[masks]], and [[eye protection]] to reduce the risk of exposure to potentially infectious materials. These precautions also include proper handling and disposal of [[sharps]], such as needles and scalpels, and the implementation of hand hygiene practices.
-Implementation of universal precautions requires training and education of healthcare workers, provision of necessary supplies and equipment, and monitoring and enforcement of compliance. It also requires a commitment from healthcare institutions to create a safe working environment and to support workers who are exposed to bloodborne pathogens.
+== Application ==
+Universal precautions are applied in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. They are particularly important during procedures that involve contact with blood or body fluids, such as [[phlebotomy]], [[surgery]], and [[dental procedures]].
+== Impact ==
+The adoption of universal precautions has significantly reduced the incidence of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens among healthcare workers. It has also raised awareness about the importance of infection control practices in healthcare environments.
+== Related pages ==
-== See also ==
-* [[Body substance isolation]]
 * [[Standard precautions]]
-* [[Transmission-based precautions]]
+* [[Infection control]]
+* [[Bloodborne pathogens]]
+* [[Occupational safety and health]]
 == References ==
-<references />
-[[Category:Medical terminology]]
+* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1987). "Recommendations for prevention of HIV transmission in health-care settings." MMWR 36(Suppl 2): 1S-18S.
+* Siegel, J. D., Rhinehart, E., Jackson, M., Chiarello, L., & the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. (2007). "Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings." CDC.
 [[Category:Infection control]]
-[[Category:HIV/AIDS]]
+[[Category:Occupational safety and health]]
-[[Category:Hepatitis B]]
-{{stub}}