What are the standard precautions?

Standard precautions are a set of guidelines designed to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, particularly bloodborne pathogens, in healthcare settings. These precautions are vital for ensuring the safety of both healthcare workers and patients. They promote practices such as assuming that everyone's blood and certain body fluids are potentially infectious, regardless of their known status, and thus advocate for the use of protective barriers such as gloves, masks, and gowns when dealing with blood or bodily fluids.

The focus of standard precautions is on infection control and preventing the spread of diseases that can be transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids. By implementing these guidelines, healthcare professionals are better equipped to safeguard themselves and their patients from potential infections. This is crucial in environments such as hospitals or clinics, where the risk of exposure to infectious diseases is heightened.

In contrast to the other options, which address different aspects of healthcare, standard precautions specifically target the prevention of infection through careful handling and the implementation of personal protective equipment.