Standard Precautions
These are the foundational practices applied to every patient, regardless of diagnosis, to prevent the transmission of infections. No patient is exempt — not regulars, not children, not patients with no visible symptoms.
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1. Hand Hygiene
The single most effective infection control measure.
The 5 Moments of Hand Hygiene [1]
- Before patient contact
- Before an aseptic procedure
- After body fluid exposure risk
- After patient contact
- After contact with patient surroundings
Technique & Duration
| Method | When | Duration | Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soap and water | Hands visibly dirty / after toilet / after body fluid exposure | 40–60 seconds | 7-step technique |
| Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) | Hands clean, between patients | 20–30 seconds | Cover all surfaces until dry |
2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Select PPE based on the anticipated risk of exposure to blood and body fluids.
| Risk Level | Minimum PPE |
|---|---|
| Standard contact | Hand hygiene + disposable gloves |
| Risk of splash | + plastic apron |
| Droplet exposure | + surgical mask + eye protection |
| Airborne exposure | + N95 respirator (requires seal check) |
N95 Respirator — Seal Check
Every single time you don an N95 — without exception — you must perform a seal check: [3]
- Positive pressure check: Cover the respirator with both hands and exhale gently. No air should leak.
- Negative pressure check: Cover the respirator and inhale. The respirator should collapse slightly.
Note: N95 requires annual fit testing in addition to daily seal checks. If you have not been fit-tested, do not use an N95 — escalate to your supervisor.
3. Injection Safety & Sharps Management
The Rule: One needle, one syringe, only one time. [1]
Disposal
- Immediately after use, drop the entire unit (needle + syringe, still attached) into a designated yellow sharps bin.
- Never separate the needle from the syringe by hand.
- Never recap, bend, or break needles.
Bin Management
| Trigger | Action |
|---|---|
| Bin is 3/4 full | Seal and replace |
| 7 days elapsed since opening | Seal and replace (whichever comes first) |
| Bin is damaged or leaking | Replace immediately |
4. Spillage Management
All clinics must have a spillage kit readily available.
Step-by-Step
Quarantine
Prevent staff and patients from walking through.
Don PPE
Gloves, apron, mask, eye protection if splash risk exists.
Cover the spill
Use sodium hypochlorite granules from the spillage kit.
Wait
Allow 5–10 minutes for absorption.
Scoop
Move the solidified material into a yellow biohazard bag using disposable tools.
Disinfect
Use 1:10 sodium hypochlorite solution (0.5%) and a green-coded mop.
Dispose
PPE and cleaning materials go into clinical waste. [1]
5. Waste Management
Proper segregation at the point of generation is critical.
| Waste Type | Container | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical waste | Yellow biohazard bag | Tissue, blood, swabs, dressings, used PPE |
| Sharps | Yellow sharps bin | Needles, syringes, lancets, blades |
| General waste | Black or blue bag | Paper, packaging, food waste |
6. Respiratory Hygiene / Cough Etiquette
Apply to patients who are coughing or have respiratory symptoms:
- Provide a surgical mask at triage.
- Instruct the patient to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing.
- Dispose of the tissue in a clinical waste bin (yellow bag).
- Perform hand hygiene immediately after. [1]
Quick Checklist
Use this before every patient encounter:
- Hands decontaminated (soap or ABHR)
- Gloves donned if touching blood/body fluids
- Apron donned if splash risk exists
- Patient instructed on cough etiquette if symptomatic
- Sharps bin checked and available
- Spillage kit stocked and accessible
For illustrated recall, use the Standard Precautions Visual Checklist.