BPW Medical Associates

 Universal Precautions  Body Substance Isolation - Standard precautions alert the health care worker of the patient situations that require special barrier techniques. - Standard precautions are designed to reduce the risk of transmission of infection and should be used for all patients.

 Most important way to PREVENT infection.  When performing hand washing, make sure you push watches or jewelry and long sleeves above the wrists.  Perform hand hygiene with instant alcohol ONLY when not visibly soiled.  Must hand wash when in contact with C diff, instant alcohol does not deactivate spores.

 Wear gloves when touching blood, bodily fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes and non-intact skin (Always wear gloves for intubation and IV starts!)  Always change your gloves between tasks and procedures on the same patient.  Wash or sanitize your hands after removal of gloves.

 Wear mask and eye protection to protect your mucous membranes during procedures and patient-care activities that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of bodily fluids. (i.e. intubation and extubation)

 Droplet precautions (wear a mask) for streptococcal pharyngitis, pneumonia, pertussis, mumps, meningococcal pneumonia  Contact precautions (gloves/gown) for C-diff, MRSA, shigella, Hep A  Airborne precautions (negative air pressure room for patient) for measles, TB