TABLE 2.1.

Recommendations for Application of Standard Precautions for the Care of All Patients in All Healthcare Settings

Component	Recommendations for Performance
Hand hygiene	Perform before touching patients and before donning gloves; after touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, contaminated items; immediately after removing gloves; between patient contacts. Alcohol-containing antiseptic hand rubs preferred except when hands are visibly soiled with blood or other proteinaceous materials or if exposure to spores (e.g., Clostridium difficile, Bacillus anthracis) is likely to have occurred
Gloves	Use for touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, contaminated items; for touching mucous membranes and nonintact skin
Gown	Wear during procedures and patient care activities when contact of clothing or exposed skin with blood or body fluids, secretions, and excretions is anticipated
Mask,a eye protection (goggles), face shield	Wear during procedures and patient care activities likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions (especially suctioning, endotracheal intubation) to protect healthcare personnel. For patient protection, the person inserting an epidural anesthesia needle or performing myelograms should use a mask when prolonged exposure of the puncture site is likely to occur
Soiled patient-care equipment	Handle in a manner that prevents transfer of microorganisms to others and to the environment; wear gloves if equipment is visibly contaminated; perform hand hygiene
Environmental control	Develop procedures for routine care, cleaning, and disinfection of environmental surfaces, especially frequently touched surfaces in patient care areas
Textiles and laundry	Handle in a manner that prevents transfer of microorganisms to others and to the environment
Safe injection practices (use of needles and other sharps)	Do not recap, bend, break, or hand-manipulate used needles; if recapping is required, use a one-handed scoop technique only; use needle-free safety devices when available; place used sharps in a puncture-resistant container. Use a sterile, single-use, disposable needle and syringe for each injection given. Single-dose medication vials are preferred when medications are administered to >1 patient
Patient resuscitation	Use a mouthpiece, resuscitation bag, or other ventilation device to prevent contact with mouth and oral secretions
Patient placement	Prioritize for a single-patient room if the patient is at increased risk of transmission, is likely to contaminate the environment, does not maintain appropriate hygiene, or is at increased risk of acquiring infection or developing adverse outcome following infection
Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquetteb	Instruct symptomatic persons to cover the mouth or nose when sneezing or coughing; use tissues and dispose in no-touch receptacle; observe hand hygiene after soiling of hands with respiratory secretions; wear a surgical mask if tolerated or maintain spatial separation, >1–2 m (3–6 feet) if possible

^aDuring aerosol-generating procedures on patients with suspected or proven infections transmitted by aerosols (e.g., severe acute respiratory syndrome), wear a fit-tested N95 or higher respirator in addition to gloves, gown, and face and eye protection.

^bSource containment of infectious respiratory secretions in symptomatic patients, beginning at the initial point of encounter (e.g., triage and reception areas in emergency departments and physician offices).

Modified with permission from Siegel JD, Rhinehart E, Jackson M, et al. Guideline for isolation precautions: preventing transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings, 2007. Am J Infect Control 2007;35(Suppl 2):S65–S164.