Universal Precautions

Back To Search

Universal Precautions

Clinical Fundamentals
Author Credentials 

Liana Puscas, MD, MHS, MA
Associate Professor
Division of Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences
Duke University
Durham, NC

Module Summary

This module explains the separate components of universal precautions which include hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, correct handling of contaminated supplies, safe injection practices and patient resuscitation.  It also provides data to support the different uses of handwashing versus utilization of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. By completing this module, health care practitioners will be knowledgeable about how to help prevent the spread of infections by following the CDC guidelines for isolation, and will decrease the spread of infectious organisms to patients and protect themselves from acquiring infections.

Module Learning Objectives 
  1. Review the various components of universal precautions.
    1. What are the seven elements of standard precautions?
    2. Why is each one important for both health care provider and patient safety?
  2. Explain the functions of the different components of personal protective equipment and the correct sequence in which they should be donned.
    1. Gloves
    2. Gown
    3. Mouth and Eye Protection
  3.  Explain the correct handling of contaminated supplies.
    1. What is the correct way to handle contaminated linen?
    2. What is the correct way to handle contaminated needles?
  4. Recognize the differences between the three tiers of CDC isolation Guidelines.
    1. Standard precautions
    2. Transmission-based precautions
    3. Contact Precautions
  5. Describe the correct technique for hand washing and the use of alcohol-based products and when should each be used?

Review

Review Questions 
  1. What is the overarching purpose of universal precautions?
  2. What is the role of the various components of personal protective equipment?
  3. What is the correct method for donning and removing personal protective equipment?
  4. What is the correct handwashing technique and when should it be used?
  5. What is the correct utilization of alcohol-based products?
  6. How should one handle a used needle?
References 
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Universal Precautions for Preventing Transmission of Bloodborne Infections.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Precention. Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings.