Standard Precautions (Infection Control) | Medical Definition

0:00standard precautions are infection control guidelines that are used in

0:04hospitals to reduce the spread of pathogens between patients and healthcare workers

0:09this includes protection from blood body fluids non-intact skin and mucous membranes

0:15we created this video to cover the medical definition and provide a brief overview of

0:20this topic so if you're ready let's get into it as previously mentioned standard precautions are

0:27a set of infection control guidelines designed to reduce the transmission of harmful microorganisms

0:33by adhering to these guidelines healthcare professionals can help protect themselves

0:38their patients and the general public from the spread of disease the primary components

0:43of standard precautions include number one hand hygiene number two personal protective equipment

0:51number three patient care equipment number four needle stick and sharps injury prevention

0:58and number five patient placement hand hygiene is perhaps the most important aspect of standard

1:06precautions healthcare workers must clean their hands before and after every patient

1:11interaction as well as after any contact with blood body fluids or contaminated surfaces

1:18alcohol-based hand sanitizers are typically used for routine hand hygiene while soap and water

1:24must be used when the hens are visibly soiled or contaminated personal protective equipment aka ppe

1:32is another key component of standard precautions this includes items such as number one gloves

1:39number two gowns number three masks number four face shields and number five eye protection

1:49healthcare workers must use ppe when they are in close contact with patients or when they are

1:55performing any procedures that could expose them to blood or body fluids for example clean gloves

2:02must be worn between tasks and procedures and they must be changed if they become contaminated

2:08masks eye protection and face shields must also be worn when performing certain procedures

2:14to prevent sprays and splashes of body fluids from contacting the mucous membranes of the eyes

2:20nose or mouth gowns must be worn when contact with blood or body fluids is likely in order to prevent

2:26soiling of clothing during patient care procedures if the gown is contaminated it must be removed

2:33and replaced with a clean one all patient care equipment must be cleaned and disinfected between

2:40patients to prevent the spread of infection this includes items such as stethoscopes pulse

2:46oximeters blood pressure cuffs and thermometers reusable equipment should not be used on another

2:52patient until it has been properly cleaned and disinfected single-use equipment such as small

2:58volume nebulizers must be disposed of after each use all healthcare workers must be cautious when

3:05handling needles and other sharp objects to prevent accidental needle stick injuries

3:11this includes using proper disposal techniques and wearing gloves when handling sharp objects

3:17all disposable syringes and sharps must be placed in a puncture resistant container for disposal

3:24in some cases patients with certain infectious diseases may need to be isolated in a private

3:29room to prevent the spread of infection contact precautions which require the use

3:35of gloves and gowns when entering the room may also be necessary airborne precautions

3:41which involve using an n95 mask and negative pressure room must be used for patients with

3:47airborne infections standard precautions are a key part of infection control

3:52and play an important role in preventing the spread of disease by adhering to these guidelines

3:58healthcare workers can help keep themselves their patients and the general public safe

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4:14enjoy and just a quick reminder we are not doctors this video is for informational purposes only

4:22thank you so much for watching have a blessed day and as always breathe easy my friend