Universal Precautions
"Universal Precautions" should be followed by ALL personnel at ALL times on ALL patients. The use of Universal
Precautions is based on an individual's skills and interaction with patient's body substance, non-intact skin, and
mucous membrane. This applies to all personnel at all times regardless of the patient's diagnosis. These
precautions apply to personnel performing all "invasive procedures."
1. Alt patients must be regarded as potentially infected with blood-borne pathogens.
2. Strict hand washing must be practiced before and after each patient contact. HANDS MUST BE WASHED
IMMEDIATELY IF THEY ARE CONTAMINATED WITH BLOOD OR BODY FLUIDS
3. Gloves should be worn:
A. If soiling with blood or body fluids is anticipated,
b. For placement of intravenous lines.
C. Gloves should not be reused.
4. Gowns or aprons should be worn during procedures that are likely to generate splashes of blood or other body
fluids and if soiling with blood or body fluids is likely.
5. Masks and protective eyewear (goggles) should be worn during procedures that are likely to generate droplets
or splashes of blood or other body fluids to prevent exposure of mucous membranes of the mouth, nose arid
eyes.
6. Articles contaminated with blood or body fluids should be discarded:
A. If disposable, in red bags labeled "infectious waste."
b. Non-disposable items should be cleaned with a hospital approved disinfectant and sent to Central Services
for sterilization.
7. Care should be taken to avoid needle-stick injuries. Used needles should not be recapped or bent; they should
be placed in a prominently labeled puncture resistant container designated specially for such disposal. You
may prefer to administer all drugs, via stopcock, to avoid recapping needles.
8. Blood spills should be cleaned up promptly with a solution of 5.25% sodium hypochforite diluted with Water
(1:10 household bleach).
9. Health care workers who have exudative lesions or weeping dermatitis should refrain from all patient care and
handling equipment until the condition is resolved.
10. To minimize the need for emergency mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, disposable mouth pieces, resuscitation
bags or other ventilation devices should be available for use,
11. Pregnant health care workers should strictly adhere to precautions to minimize the risk of HIV transmission.
12. All specimens must be contained in a leak-proof plastic bag labeled 'bio-hazard."
"Universal Precautions" should be followed by ALL personnel at ALL times on ALL patients. The use of Universal
Precautions is based on an individual's skills and interaction with patient's body substance, non-intact skin, and
mucous membrane. This applies to all personnel at all times regardless of the patient's diagnosis. These
precautions apply to personnel performing all "invasive procedures."
1. Alt patients must be regarded as potentially infected with blood-borne pathogens.
2. Strict hand washing must be practiced before and after each patient contact. HANDS MUST BE WASHED
IMMEDIATELY IF THEY ARE CONTAMINATED WITH BLOOD OR BODY FLUIDS
3. Gloves should be worn:
A. If soiling with blood or body fluids is anticipated,
b. For placement of intravenous lines.
C. Gloves should not be reused.
4. Gowns or aprons should be worn during procedures that are likely to generate splashes of blood or other body
fluids and if soiling with blood or body fluids is likely.
5. Masks and protective eyewear (goggles) should be worn during procedures that are likely to generate droplets
or splashes of blood or other body fluids to prevent exposure of mucous membranes of the mouth, nose arid
eyes.
6. Articles contaminated with blood or body fluids should be discarded:
A. If disposable, in red bags labeled "infectious waste."
b. Non-disposable items should be cleaned with a hospital approved disinfectant and sent to Central Services
for sterilization.
7. Care should be taken to avoid needle-stick injuries. Used needles should not be recapped or bent; they should
be placed in a prominently labeled puncture resistant container designated specially for such disposal. You
may prefer to administer all drugs, via stopcock, to avoid recapping needles.
8. Blood spills should be cleaned up promptly with a solution of 5.25% sodium hypochforite diluted with Water
(1:10 household bleach).
9. Health care workers who have exudative lesions or weeping dermatitis should refrain from all patient care and
handling equipment until the condition is resolved.
10. To minimize the need for emergency mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, disposable mouth pieces, resuscitation
bags or other ventilation devices should be available for use,
11. Pregnant health care workers should strictly adhere to precautions to minimize the risk of HIV transmission.
12. All specimens must be contained in a leak-proof plastic bag labeled 'bio-hazard."
